Basic Details
Word: Applause
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: The sound of people clapping to show that they enjoyed or approve of something.
Synonyms: clapping, ovation, acclaim, cheering
Antonyms: booing, jeering
How to Spell Applause
Syllables: ap - plause
Tricky part: It starts with two p's, has au in the middle and ends in -se. Because the s sounds like z, students write applauze.
Watch out for: aplause, applauze, applawse
Memory tip: Applause needs two hands, and it has two p's. The ending is the same -ause as in pause and cause.
Usage Examples
Example 1: The applause went on so long that the singer came back for one more song.
Example 2: There was polite applause as the chief guest cut the ribbon.
Example 3: Our team walked off to warm applause even though we had lost the final.
Fun Fact
Some television studios light up an applause sign to tell the audience exactly when to clap.
Practise the CREST Way
Spell-o-Spell
Three of these words are spelt correctly. Choose the meaning of the misspelt word:
1. applauze 2. audience 3. encore 4. rehearsal
a) approval shown by clapping the hands
b) an extra item performed because the audience asks for it
c) a practice performance before the real one
d) the people watching or listening to a show
Show answer
a) approval shown by clapping the hands. Even though the end sounds like z, applause is written with an s, the same as pause.
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word applause as used in the sentence:
Thunderous applause filled the auditorium when the quiz champions were named.
a) laughter
b) silence
c) music
d) clapping
Show answer
d) clapping. Applause is the sound of clapping; silence is its opposite.
Mingle-Mangle
Unjumble the letters in the sentence to form a meaningful word:
The tabla player bowed low as the lpsauape rolled on for a full minute.
a) appease
b) pause
c) applause
d) applies
Show answer
c) applause. Count the letters: eight of them, with two p's and a u, which only applause uses.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A round of applause is ____.
a) a lap of a race track
b) a kind of folk song
c) a burst of clapping
d) a circular hall
Show answer
c) a burst of clapping
2. The opposite of applause is ____.
a) cheering
b) clapping
c) booing
d) praise
Show answer
c) booing
