A wave of applause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "A wave of applause" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a sudden and enthusiastic response of clapping from an audience, often after a performance or speech. An example could be: "After the final act, a wave of applause filled the theater." Alternative expressions include "a surge of applause" and "a flood of applause."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

A wave of applause has greeted the president in city after city.

The New York Times

A wave of applause sweeps around the stands as Arjen Robben is seen warming up.

BBC

He was interrupted by a wave of applause.

The New Yorker

From time to time, a wave of applause broke out, like a wind-carried ripple.

The New Yorker

But a wave of applause from the generally supportive audience kept him going.

The New York Times

The vitality of her footwork and jumps in the Scottish dance caused a wave of applause through the music.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Bush simply said "thank you" as a wave of raucous applause rose from the assembled.

The New York Times - Magazine

After the game, the winner hears a wave of gentle applause; the loser hears taps.

The New York Times - Tech

After a wave of excited applause died down, he continued, "We're basically hoping to do nine or 10 episodes, with almost one character per episode".

The New York Times

Mr. Bush, a 23-year-old pre-law student, displayed not a flicker of nervousness as he strolled across the stage to a wave of excited applause.

The New York Times

In response, Robert M. Mackia, whose speech drew a wave of loud applause from the "anti" Faction, called for "a clear state ment of the secret conditions of the acceptance of the Leh man Collection" that require to be in the park.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair this phrase with verbs that complement the liquid metaphor, like "swept", "washed over" or "broke out" to maintain stylistic consistency

Common error

Avoid mixing your sensory metaphors in a single sentence. Saying "A wave of applause" "ignited" the room creates a clash between water and fire imagery. Stick to fluid movement or sound-based verbs to keep the writing sharp

Linguistic Context

The phrase acts as a metaphorical noun phrase used to quantify and describe the physical progression of sound in a crowd. According to Ludwig, it functions primarily as the subject or object of sentences describing collective human behavior, often highlighting the transition from silence to noise.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Social Media

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "A wave of applause" is a highly effective and grammatically correct idiomatic expression. Ludwig AI demonstrates that it is a preferred choice for elite publications like The New York Times and The Guardian when describing the rhythmic and spreading nature of a crowd's reaction. It is best used in narrative or journalistic contexts to provide a sense of scale and movement. Writers should be careful to maintain the liquid metaphor by pairing it with consistent verbs like "swept" or "washed over". Whether used in a political, theatrical or sporting context, this phrase remains a powerful tool for elevating descriptive writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A burst of applause

Emphasizes the sudden and spontaneous nature of the reaction

A roar of applause

Suggests a much higher volume and overwhelming vocal energy

A surge of applause

Focuses on the building energy and rising momentum of the sound

A round of applause

The most standard and neutral way to describe a polite or formal period of clapping

A ripple of applause

Describes a quieter, less intense reaction that spreads gently through a crowd

A tide of applause

Similar to wave but suggests a slower, more rhythmic or inevitable movement

A flood of applause

Conveys a sense of being overwhelmed by the sheer quantity of the response

A storm of applause

Implies a tumultuous, loud and potentially aggressive level of enthusiasm

A thunder of applause

A sensory metaphor focusing specifically on the deep, resonating sound

A chorus of applause

Suggests a harmonious or unified reaction from the entire group

FAQs

How do I use "A wave of applause" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a spreading reaction, for example: "As the speaker stepped off the stage, "A wave of applause" swept through the auditorium."

What can I say instead of "A wave of applause"?

Depending on the intensity, you might use "a round of applause" for something formal or "a burst of applause" for something sudden.

What is the difference between "A wave of applause" and "A ripple of applause"?

While both describe movement, "a ripple of applause" suggests a much smaller, quieter and more localized reaction compared to the larger scale of a wave.

Is "A wave of applause" considered formal English?

Yes, it is a neutral to formal idiomatic expression. Ludwig AI shows it is frequently used in high-quality journalism such as The New York Times and The Economist.