3 syllables: ap, plaud, ed. Stress on plaud.
uh-PLAW-did
/əˈplɔdɪd/
applauded is pronounced uh-PLAW-did (/əˈplɔdɪd/). It has three syllables (ap-plaud-ed), with the stress on "plaud". Applauded is the past tense verb meaning to show approval by clapping hands or to acclaim publicly. It commonly appears in contexts where praise or recognition is given, often after a performance or speech. The form carries stress on the first syllable and ends with a light, clipped -ed suffix in fluent speech.
Applauded is the past tense verb meaning to show approval by clapping hands or to acclaim publicly. It commonly appears in contexts where praise or recognition is given, often after a performance or speech. The form carries stress on the first syllable and ends with a light, clipped -ed suffix in fluent speech.
"The audience applauded loudly after the finale."
"She applauded his proposal and encouraged him to present it at the meeting."
"Critics applauded the film for its bold storytelling despite a slow pace."
Pronounce as ə-PLAW-dɪd in US/UK; primary stress on the second syllable. IPA US: əˈplɔːdɪd, UK: əˈplɒdɪd, AU: əˈplɒdɪd. Begin with a schwa + a light, relaxed initial /ə/, then a stressed /ˈplɔː/ or /ˈplɒː/ depending on accent, followed by a lax /dɪd/. Mouth: lips relaxed, tongue blade toward alveolar ridge for /l/, rounded for /ɔː/ in US; final /dɪd/ is quick with a short schwa between /d/ sounds. In connected speech, the final /ɪd/ may be lightly reduced to /d/ in rapid phrases (ə-PLAU-dd). Audio reference: you can check Pronounce or Forvo entries for speaker variants to hear natural rhythm and stress.
Common errors include: 1) Stress on the first syllable (a-PLA-uded) instead of the second syllable. 2) Mispronouncing /plɔː/ as /plɔ/ or /plɒ/ without the proper vowel length. 3) Final -ed pronounced as /ɪd/ or /d/ too long, making it sound “applaud-ED” instead of the quick /-əd/. Correction: place primary stress on the second syllable: ə-PLAW-dɪd; use a long mid-back vowel /ɔː/ or /ɒ/ depending on region; reduce the final suffix to /d/ or /ɪd/ with a brief tongue contact, not a full-id pronunciation.
US: /əˈplɔːdɪd/ with rhotic rless /ə/; UK/AU: /əˈplɒdɪd/ and /əˈplɔːdɪd/ depending on vowel in non-rhotic accents where the /r/ is not pronounced. The key differences are the quality of the main vowel in the stressed syllable: /ɔː/ in US often, and /ɒ/ or /ɒː/ in UK/AU; final /dɪd/ can be reduced to /d/ in rapid speech. Rhoticity influences the second vowel quality in some speakers, with American receiving vowels often lengthened and rounded. In careful speech consider linking and intonation: US often keeps a clearer /ɔː/ while UK may maintain shorter /ɒ/ with broader phonation. Pronounce thoughtfully to avoid mixing /ɒ/ with /ɔː/ in mid-word contexts.
The difficulty lies in stress timing and the subtle vowel quality between /ɔː/ and /ɒ/ and the final /ɪd/ or /d/ cluster. You must land the secondary articulations fast: the /pl/ cluster requires precise tongue placement and the /l/ and /ɹ/ interplay. The suffix -ed often reduces in rapid speech, which can blur the word’s end. The combination of a stressed second syllable and a trailing alveolar stop makes timing crucial; practice with slow-to-fast pace to stabilize the rhythm and place the tongue in the alveolar ridge for the /d/.
The unique challenge is mastering the transition into the /ɔː/ or /ɒ/ vowel of the stressed syllable, ensuring the /pl/ cluster remains clean and the /l/ remains light rather than vocalized. Also, avoid inserting extra syllables: some speakers may insert a schwa before the final /d/; resist that and close the word with a crisp, quick /d/. Practice with minimal pairs emphasizing the preserved /pl/ sequence followed by the closed, unstressed -ed.
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US: stable /əˈplɔːdɪd/ with longer /ɔː/ and a clear /dɪd/ tail; UK/AU: /əˈplɒdɪd/ or /əˈplaːdɪd/ depending on speaker; non-rhoticity in UK may affect post-vocalic r, but here it is not relevant. Vowel differences: US tends to a broader, longer /ɔː/; UK/AU often shorter and more clipped /ɒ/. In all accents, ensure the stress remains on the second syllable and that the /pl/ blend is clean. Use IPA as reference and practice with minimal pairs: “plod” vs “plied” to feel the /pl/ placement. Use careful mouth positioning: lips rounded slightly for /ɔː/; keep tongue high for /ɒ/ depending on the dialect. Pay attention to final /dɪd/ vs /d/ due to flapping or t/d assimilation in rapid speech.
Applauded derives from the verb applaud, which comes from the French aplau- (from Old French aplud, aplaudir) and ultimately from the Latin plausare, meaning to clap or strike with the hands. The morphological pathway involves the root clap-like action embedded in the Latin plausus meaning “applause” and “clapping.” In Middle English, applaud was formed under the influence of French, with the -ed suffix indicating past tense in English usage. The shift from standalone verb to past participle, applauded, follows standard English regular-conjugation patterns: base verb + -ed. First recorded usage of the form applauded appears in late 14th to early 15th century texts, aligning with the rise of formalized public performances and organized applause as a social ritual. Over time, the sense broadened beyond literal hand-clapping to include wide public approval, commendation, and vocal approbation, as in “the policy was applauded by reformers.” In modern English, applauded is now a common past tense and past participle, often used in both literal and figurative senses (e.g., “the proposal was applauded by critics”). The word retains the core semantic thread of approval, with a phonetic rendering that places the primary stress on the first syllable (ə-PLAW-dəd in many pronunciations).
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Words that rhyme with "applauded"
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