clap

Fetched 2026-10-28 (live).

Datamuse reports no synonyms or antonyms for this word.

Noun

1. The act of striking the palms of the hands, or any two surfaces, together.
   • He summoned the waiter with a clap.
2. The explosive sound of thunder.
3. Any loud, sudden, explosive sound made by striking hard surfaces together, or resembling such a sound.
   • Off in the distance, he heard the clap of thunder.
4. A slap with the hand, usually in a jovial manner.
   • His father's affection never went further than a handshake or a clap on the shoulder.
5. A single, sudden act or motion; a stroke; a blow.
6. The nether part of the beak of a hawk.
7. A dropping of cow dung (presumably from the sound made as it hits the ground)

Verb

1. To strike the palms of the hands together, creating a sharp sound.
   • The children began to clap in time with the music.
2. To applaud.
   • The audience loudly clapped the actress, who responded with a deep curtsey.
   • It isn’t the singers they are clapping; it's the composer.
3. To slap with the hand in a jovial manner.
   • He would often clap his teammates on the back for encouragement.
4. To bring two surfaces together forcefully, creating a sharp sound.
   • He clapped the empty glass down on the table.
   • She clapped the book shut.
   • He clapped across the floor in his boots.
5. To slam (a door or window); formerly often construed with to.
6. To create or assemble (something) hastily (usually followed by up or together).
   • We should clap together a shelter before nightfall.
   • The rival factions clapped up a truce.
7. To set or put, usually in haste.
   • The sheriff clapped him in jail.
   • She was the prettiest thing I'd ever clapped eyes on.
8. To shoot (somebody) with a gun.
9. To defeat.
   • He started a fight but then got clapped immediately.
10. To have sex, fornicate, copulate.

Noun

1. Synonym of gonorrhea.

Source: Wiktionary · CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wiktionary) · cached copy, not a rewrite.