clap
B1 (Intermediate)Informal to Neutral. Informal when referring to gonorrhea.
Definition
Meaning
To hit your hands together loudly, often to show approval or to make a sharp sound.
A sudden, sharp sound, especially of thunder; a light blow with the palm of the hand; a friendly or congratulatory pat; (informal) a venereal disease, especially gonorrhea.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The verb primarily describes the action of making a sound with the palms. The noun often describes the sound itself. The informal medical meaning is considered vulgar.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both share core meanings. The informal noun for gonorrhea is slightly more established in UK slang ('the clap'). The verb 'clap eyes on' (to see) is chiefly British.
Connotations
Equally positive for applause. The disease connotation is strongly negative and informal in both.
Frequency
Core verb/noun usage is equally frequent. 'Clap eyes on' is UK-specific.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
clap (sth) (intransitive: The audience clapped.)clap sb/sth (transitive: She clapped her hands.)clap sb on sth (ditransitive: He clapped me on the shoulder.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “clap eyes on sb/sth (BrE)”
- “clapped out (BrE, worn out)”
- “like thunder (very loudly/angrily)”
- “in a clap (archaic, suddenly)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in contexts like 'a presentation met with polite clapping'.
Academic
Rare for applause; used in meteorology ('a clap of thunder') or acoustics.
Everyday
Very common for applause, sounds, and light touches.
Technical
In acoustics for impulse sounds; in medicine (slang, avoid in formal writing).
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- She gave him a friendly clap on the shoulder.
- The sudden clap of thunder made the dog hide.
- (Informal) He was worried he'd caught the clap.
American English
- The show ended with a sustained clap from the audience.
- A single loud clap echoed in the canyon.
verb
British English
- The crowd began to clap as the speaker finished.
- I've not clapped eyes on him for years.
- The judge clapped the miscreant in irons.
American English
- Let's all clap along to the music.
- He clapped his friend on the back in congratulations.
- Thunder clapped overhead, startling everyone.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The children clap their hands.
- We heard a loud clap.
- Everyone clapped at the end of the performance.
- A sudden clap of thunder interrupted the picnic.
- The speaker was clapped on the back by his colleagues.
- The audience clapped in unison, creating a powerful rhythm.
- The critic damned the play with faint praise, offering only a perfunctory clap.
- The news hit him like a clap of thunder, completely unexpected.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine the sound 'CL-AP' is the sound your hands make when they come together.
Conceptual Metaphor
APPROVAL IS PHYSICAL IMPACT (clapping hands). SUDDENNESS IS A SHARP SOUND (a clap of thunder).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Common Mistakes
- Using 'clap' instead of 'slap' (which implies punishment or aggression).
- Incorrect preposition: 'clap at someone' instead of 'clap for someone'.
Practice
Quiz
Which of these is a correct use of 'clap'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While applause is positive, 'a clap of thunder' is neutral, and 'the clap' (slang for disease) is negative.
'Clap' is the physical action and sound. 'Applaud' is the act of showing approval, which usually involves clapping. 'Applaud' is slightly more formal.
Yes. It can describe similar sharp sounds (thunder, a book closing shut) or a light blow with an open hand (a clap on the back).
It is chiefly British informal. An American might say 'lay eyes on' instead.