clap
/klæp/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun:
- A sharp, abrupt sound: The sound produced by two flat surfaces striking together, often repeated.
- A sudden, very loud noise: A single, explosive sound, such as thunder.
- (Informal, dated) Gonorrhea: A common venereal disease.
Verb:
- To strike together to make a sharp sound: To bring two things, especially the hands, together forcefully to produce a percussive noise.
- To strike lightly with the open hand: Usually in a friendly or encouraging manner, such as on someone's shoulder.
- To applaud: To show approval or enjoyment by striking the palms of the hands together repeatedly.
- To move or strike with a similar sound: For example, when a bird's wings strike the air in flight.
- To put or place something quickly or forcibly: To act with sudden speed or force.
Usage Examples
Noun:
- A loud clap of thunder woke me up.
- He gave me a friendly clap on the back.
- (Historical/Informal) He was diagnosed with the clap.
Verb:
- Please clap your hands to the beat of the music.
- The audience began to clap loudly after the performance.
- The goose clapped its wings noisily as it took off from the pond.
- The judge ordered the bailiff to clap the suspect in jail.
Advanced Usage
"to clap eyes on (someone/something)": (Idiomatic) To see someone or something, often for the first time.
- I knew I wanted it the moment I clapped eyes on that car.
"to clap (someone) in/into (something)": To put someone in a place, especially prison, quickly and forcibly.
- They clapped the troublemakers in the stocks.
Variants and Related Words
- Clapper (n): The tongue of a bell; or a person or thing that claps.
- Clapping (n): The act or sound of applauding.
- The clapping lasted for several minutes.
Synonyms
- Noun (sound): Crack, bang, crash, report.
- Verb (applaud): Applaud, cheer, acclaim.
- Verb (strike): Slap, smack, pat.
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Clap on: To add or apply something suddenly.
- The captain gave the order to clap on more sail.
- Clap out: (Informal) To become worn out or exhausted.
- That old car is just about clapped out.
Related Idioms
- Clap hold of: To seize or grab something suddenly.
- He clapped hold of my arm to stop me from falling.
- In a clap: (Archaic) Instantly, very quickly.
- It was all over in a clap.
Noun
- a sharp abrupt noise as if two objects hit together; may be repeated
- a common venereal disease caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae; symptoms are painful urination and pain around the urethra
- a sudden very loud noise
Verb
- strike together so as to produce a sharp percussive noise
- clap two boards together
- strike with the flat of the hand; usually in a friendly way, as in encouragement or greeting
- strike the air in flight
- the wings of the birds clapped loudly
- clap one's hands together
- The children were clapping to the music
- clap one's hands or shout after performances to indicate approval
- cause to strike the air in flight
- The big bird clapped its wings
- put quickly or forcibly
- The judge clapped him in jail