claque: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
RareFormal, Literary
Quick answer
What does “claque” mean?
A group of people hired to applaud or otherwise show approval, especially in a theatre or political context.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A group of people hired to applaud or otherwise show approval, especially in a theatre or political context.
Any group of followers or supporters who uncritically applaud or support a person, idea, or performance, regardless of its merit.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is very similar, though historically more associated with the European (particularly French) theatre tradition. In modern political discourse, both use it similarly.
Connotations
Strongly negative in both, implying sycophancy and lack of authenticity.
Frequency
Used infrequently in both varieties; slightly more likely in UK literary or theatre criticism contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “claque” in a Sentence
The [leader/speaker/performer] was surrounded by a claque of [admirers/supporters].She dismissed her critics, preferring the praise of her personal claque.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “claque” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The theatre manager was accused of claquing the first night.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used metaphorically for a CEO's uncritical inner circle.
Academic
Used in historical or literary studies of theatre and political science.
Everyday
Very rare. Might be used in sophisticated political commentary.
Technical
A specific term in theatre history and performance studies.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “claque”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “claque”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “claque”
- Misspelling as 'clack' or 'clak'.
- Using it as a synonym for any large group of supporters (it requires the element of orchestration or insincerity).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is quite rare and used primarily in formal, literary, or historical contexts.
Almost never. Its definition inherently carries a negative connotation of falseness and manipulation.
It comes from French, from 'claquer' meaning 'to clap'. The practice of hiring applauders was formalised in 19th-century Parisian theatres.
Yes, the verb 'to claque' exists but is extremely rare, meaning to act as part of a claque or to applaud as a claqueur.
A group of people hired to applaud or otherwise show approval, especially in a theatre or political context.
Claque is usually formal, literary in register.
Claque: in British English it is pronounced /klæk/, and in American English it is pronounced /klæk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A claque of yes-men”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CLACKing sound of many hands clapping together on cue, hired for a performance.
Conceptual Metaphor
SUPPORT IS A PAID PERFORMANCE / LOYALTY IS A COMMERCIAL TRANSACTION.
Practice
Quiz
What is the core connotation of the word 'claque'?