plaudit

noun

plau·​dit ˈplȯ-dət How to pronounce plaudit (audio)
1
: an act or round of applause
2
: enthusiastic approval
usually used in plural
received the plaudits of the critics

Did you know?

You earn plaudits for your etymological knowledge if you can connect plaudit to words besides the familiar applaud and applause. A word coined by shortening Latin plaudite, meaning "applaud," plaudit had gained approval status in English by the first years of the 17th century. Latin plaudite is a form of the verb plaudere, meaning "to applaud"; plaudere, in turn, is ancestor to explode, plausible, and the archaic displode (a synonym of explode).

Examples of plaudit in a Sentence

the proud parents bragged that their daughter had received many plaudits for her academic achievements
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
She’s also thrived performing in front of audiences who love orchestra arrangements and earned the plaudits of older artists who have also blended jazz and pop, like Norah Jones and Jon Batiste. Andrew R. Chow, TIME, 20 Feb. 2025 His best role will become clear with more game time, but his ability to receive and retain possession in deeper areas before carrying it forward earned plaudits during his time at Brighton and now United. Carl Anka, The Athletic, 15 Jan. 2025 Woodall and Fahy are both at the top of their game career-wise, with Fahy winning plaudits for her star turn in The Perfect Couple and Woodall reaching new levels of fame following his role as dashing Dexter Mayhew in the remake of One Day. Isaac Bickerstaff, Glamour, 8 Jan. 2025 Our exports can indeed draw an appreciative crowd in the big city, earning plaudits and recognition. Bernard Kavaler, Hartford Courant, 5 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for plaudit

Word History

Etymology

Latin plaudite applaud, plural imperative of plaudere to applaud

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of plaudit was in 1600

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Cite this Entry

“Plaudit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plaudit. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

plaudit

noun
plau·​dit ˈplȯd-ət How to pronounce plaudit (audio)
1
2
: enthusiastic approval
usually used in plural
received the plaudits of the critics
Etymology

from Latin plaudite, a form of plaudere "to clap" — related to applaud, explode, plausible see Word History at explode, plausible

More from Merriam-Webster on plaudit

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