Applaud vs. Praise – Which is Correct?
The phrase “express approval or admiration” most directly means applaud, a verb for showing enthusiastic approval or praise. Praise is also correct, but it usually means expressing approval with words, while applaud can describe clapping, public approval, or strong endorsement. Choose based on the kind of response intended in context.
As with other commonly confused forms, Pronunciation vs. Pronounciation highlights why careful spelling matters when discussing language.
Applaud or Praise – Which is Correct?
Applaud and praise are both correct words for expressing approval or admiration. However, applaud often suggests enthusiastic approval, public support, or literal clapping, while praise generally involves words that recognize someone’s qualities, achievements, or actions.
If you need a single answer to the clue “express approval or admiration,” applaud is usually the best fit. For example, an audience can applaud a performance, while a manager can praise an employee’s work.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Use the clapping test: if you can imagine people clapping, choose applaud. If the approval is mainly delivered through spoken or written compliments, choose praise. You can applaud a decision without clapping, but the word still suggests strong public approval.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applaud | Verb | To express enthusiastic approval or admiration | The audience applauded the performers. |
| Praise | Verb | To express approval or admiration, usually with words | The teacher praised Maya for her excellent work. |
How to Use Applaud
Applaud is a verb meaning to show approval or admiration. Its original and most literal use involves clapping for a performer, speaker, achievement, or event. It can also be used figuratively to mean strongly support or approve of an idea, decision, policy, or action.
The word commonly appears in the patterns applaud someone for something and applaud something. It is suitable in casual, professional, formal, and journalistic writing. Because it can imply public or enthusiastic approval, it is often stronger than simply saying that someone “liked” an idea.
Example 1: The audience applauded the singer after her final performance.
Example 2: The board applauded the team for completing the project ahead of schedule.
Example 3: Many residents applauded the city’s decision to expand public transportation.
Etymology of the word Applaud
Applaud comes from the Latin verb applaudere, meaning “to clap” or “to strike against.” It entered English through French and became associated with clapping in approval. Over time, its meaning broadened to include expressing enthusiastic support or admiration without literal applause.
How to Use Praise
Praise means to express approval, admiration, or respect for someone or something. It often refers to spoken or written words, such as compliments, positive feedback, commendations, or public recognition. Unlike applaud, it does not usually suggest physical clapping.
Praise can be used in personal, educational, professional, religious, literary, and journalistic contexts. It may describe praising a person, praising an achievement, or praising someone for a particular action. As a noun, praise means favorable approval or admiration.
Example 1: The supervisor praised Daniel for handling the difficult customer professionally.
Example 2: Critics praised the novel for its memorable characters and vivid setting.
Example 3: The organization received widespread praise for its emergency-relief efforts.
Etymology of the word Praise
Praise developed from the Old French word preisier, meaning “to prize” or “to value.” It is related to the Latin pretiare, meaning “to value” or “to esteem.” The word entered Middle English and gradually acquired its modern meaning of expressing approval or admiration.
Related Concepts
Understanding the difference between physical approval, verbal approval, and general admiration makes it easier to choose between applaud and praise.
- Synonyms: Words such as commend, compliment, admire, endorse, and acclaim overlap with applaud and praise, but each has a slightly different tone or use.
- Transitive and intransitive verbs: Applaud can be used without an object, as in “The crowd applauded,” or with an object, as in “The crowd applauded the speaker.”
- Public and personal approval: Applaud often suggests visible or public support, whereas praise can be private, personal, written, or spoken.
- Compliments and commendations: A compliment usually expresses approval of a quality or appearance, while a commendation often recognizes an achievement or action in a more formal way.
Examples from Media and Literature
These examples show how writers and speakers use the two words in common real-world contexts:
- Film and theater reviews: Reviewers often write that audiences “applauded the performance” to describe enthusiastic reactions after a show.
- News reporting: Journalists may say that citizens applauded a humanitarian decision, using the word figuratively to mean publicly supported it.
- Business writing: A company announcement may praise employees for reaching a major goal or completing an important project.
- Biographies: Writers frequently praise historical figures for courage, creativity, leadership, or contributions to society.
- Literary dialogue: A character may applaud another character’s clever plan or praise that person’s honesty, depending on whether the emphasis is enthusiastic support or verbal admiration.
Practice Exercises
Choose the correct word to complete each sentence.
- The audience began to ______ when the orchestra finished its final piece.
- The director ______ Lena for her careful research.
- Several community leaders ______ the new program as an important improvement.
- The coach publicly ______ the players for their discipline.
- The crowd stood to ______ the visiting speaker.
Answer Key
- applaud
- praised
- applauded
- praised
- applaud
Applaud Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| Acclaim | To praise or celebrate enthusiastically, often publicly |
| Approve | To regard something as acceptable, suitable, or good |
| Endorse | To express support for a person, idea, product, or decision |
| Commend | To formally praise someone or something |
| Cheer | To show encouragement or approval, often loudly |
Praise Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| Compliment | To express admiration or approval through a positive remark |
| Commend | To praise someone or something, especially formally |
| Admire | To regard someone or something with respect or approval |
| Honor | To show high respect or recognition |
| Celebrate | To publicly recognize or show pleasure in an achievement |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: What is the best word for “express approval or admiration”?
Applaud is usually the best single-word answer. It means to show enthusiastic approval or admiration, either by clapping or by expressing strong support.
Question 2: Is “praise” a synonym for “applaud”?
Yes. Both words can mean expressing approval or admiration. However, praise usually emphasizes words or positive comments, while applaud often emphasizes enthusiastic or public approval.
Question 3: What is the difference between “applaud” and “compliment”?
To compliment someone is to make a positive remark about that person or something they did. To applaud someone or something is to show stronger approval, often publicly or enthusiastically.
Conclusion
Applaud is the most direct answer to “express approval or admiration,” especially when the approval is enthusiastic, public, or associated with clapping. Praise is also correct when the focus is on verbal or written recognition. Pro Tip: In professional communication, specific praise builds credibility and reputation more effectively than vague approval.
