If you think clapping is a fun way to show appreciation, then you’re right. If you think clapping isn’t a word at all, then you’re wrong. These are two different words that have been mixed up countless times over the years, and they both mean very different things. Let’s dive into the deep end and figure out which one applies to your situation!

Definition of clap

The word clap is used to describe the sound of two hands striking together. It can also refer to the act of striking two things together, such as when you clap your hands or stomp your feet in applause.

Clapping is a form of applause, but there are other ways to encourage performers and express appreciation, such as cheering or whistling (or even texting).

Example of a clap

• Clap is a verb. You clap your hands together, or you may clap someone on the back.
• Clap is also a noun. It can refer to applause, or even just one person’s applause for another person’s work–or even just for being alive!
• Clapped (with an ‘e’) is an interjection meaning “to applaud.” For example: “The audience clapped loudly after the performance was finished.”
• Finally, claped (with an ‘a’) is an exclamation meaning “to applaud vigorously.” For example: “The audience clapped loudly after the performance was finished!”

Definition of claped

Clapped is the past tense of clap.

Claped is a slang term for clapped. It’s an informal word that’s used in informal writing, such as on social media or in text messages.

How to pronounce clapped

Clapped is pronounced [klæpt].

If you’re not sure how to pronounce clapped, listen for its two syllables: kla and pted. The first letter of both syllables is a hard ‘k.’ The second one is soft in both cases–you say it like the “p” in “spend,” but with your lips buzzing slightly at the end of each sound (like the buzzing you hear when someone says “sss”). So if someone asks you what time it is, don’t say “claped; I’ll tell you later!” Instead, reply with something like “It’s quarter past twelve.”

Don’t get these two words mixed up.

The difference between these two words is subtle but important. Clapped is the verb form, while claped is the noun form. You can use clap to talk about something happening in the past: “I clapped when she walked onstage.”

You can also use it with when, as in “When I clapped my hands together, she smiled.” If someone applauds you or your work, you might say that they were “applauded” by others–or more simply put, that they received applause from others (and maybe even some standing ovations).

It might seem weird at first glance to think of applause as an actionable thing, but think about how much energy it takes to give someone a standing ovation! That’s some serious movement! It makes sense that this would be called an action rather than just an event–and thus we have our second definition for clap in this article: “To express approval by applauding vigorously; especially loudly.”

Clapped and claped are two words that sound similar, but have different meanings. Clap is a verb that means to strike one’s hands together to express approval or disapproval of something. For example: “The audience clapped after the performance.” Claped is an informal spelling of clapped that has been used since at least the 19th century. It can be used in place of clapped in informal writing like blog posts or tweets where you don’t want to use capital letters for every word (like this sentence).