clap

Everyday

1. To hit your hands together, usually again and again, to show you like something, to keep a beat or to get attention. tree →
2. A clap is one loud sharp sound, like a clap of thunder. tree →
3. To put something somewhere quickly and firmly: clap a hand over your mouth. tree →
4. "Clap eyes on" means to see. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life, people clap (applaud) at the end of a show, assembly or game to say well done. In music, we clap rhythms and beats; in phonics, clapping the syllables of a word helps you count them (but-ter-fly = 3 claps). Teachers clap a pattern to get the class's attention. In science, a clap of thunder is the sound of lightning heating the air very fast. Phrases: "clap your hands", "a round of applause / a big clap", "clap along", "a clap of thunder", "give them a clap".

Examples

• Let's all clap for the winners. tree →
• Clap the syllables in "elephant": el-e-phant, three claps. tree →
• We clapped along to the music. tree →
• There was a loud clap of thunder. tree →
• The teacher clapped twice and the class went quiet. tree →
• Give Ben a big clap for his poem! tree →
• She clapped her hand over her mouth in surprise. tree →
• Count the claps: clap, clap, clap — that's three. tree →
• The Fairy clapped her hands twice. tree →

Note

Regular verb, double p: clapped, clapping. "Applaud" is a more formal word for clap. In maths and music, a clap pattern can repeat: "clap, clap, pause" repeated 4 times = 8 claps.

In Jewish tradition

To clap hands as a sign of joy and praise, or sometimes of scorn.

Interpretation. The psalms picture even rivers and nations clapping for God as King. Tradition reads this as creation joining in the praise of God's rule.

Examples

• Let the floods clap their hands; let the mountains sing for joy together; (Writings PSA.98.8, JPS 1917) tree →
• Men shall clap their hands at him, and shall hiss him out of his place. (Writings JOB.27.23, JPS 1917) tree →
• O clap your hands, all ye peoples; shout unto God with the voice of triumph. (Writings PSA.47.2, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Regular verb, double p: clapped, clapping. "Applaud" is a more formal word for clap. In maths and music, a clap pattern can repeat: "clap, clap, pause" repeated 4 times = 8 claps.