Enthusiastic applause

USAGE SUMMARY

"enthusiastic applause" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a strong, positive reaction from an audience, typically after a performance or speech. For example, "The speaker was met with enthusiastic applause at the end of the presentation." Alternative expressions include "warm applause" and "loud applause."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Enthusiastic applause permeated Kresge at his conclusion.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"Enthusiastic applause" (literally: "stormy applause") took the description up a notch.

The New Yorker

"Enthusiastic applause transitioning to an ovation" was even bigger and longer and often involved standing.

The New Yorker

"Enthusiastic applause that refuses to quiet down, transitioning to an ovation.

The New Yorker

Enthusiastic applause rose up from the crowd.

Vice

It drew enthusiastic applause.

The New York Times

There was enthusiastic applause.

The New Yorker

His statement received enthusiastic applause.

The New York Times

Braun left the podium to enthusiastic applause.

The New York Times - Sports

The virtual response was enthusiastic applause.

The Guardian - Music

This wins even more enthusiastic applause.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair this phrase with specific verbs like "drew", "received" or "was met with" to maintain a professional journalistic tone.

Common error

Avoid using modifiers like "very" or "really" before "Enthusiastic applause". The adjective "enthusiastic" already conveys a high degree of energy; adding further intensifiers can make your writing feel cluttered or amateurish. If you need to describe a more powerful reaction, opt for a stronger synonym like "thunderous applause" instead.

Linguistic Context

In a sentence, "Enthusiastic applause" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb (e.g., "the performance drew "Enthusiastic applause"") or the subject of a passive construction. According to Ludwig AI, this structure is perfectly standard English and follows the typical adjective-noun order to modify the intensity of the head noun "applause".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

20%

Professional

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "Enthusiastic applause" is a robust and versatile phrase used to describe a high-energy positive reaction from an audience. Based on Ludwig's analysis, it is most prevalent in high-quality journalism and academic reports, where it serves as a descriptive tool for event coverage. While synonyms like "thunderous applause" or "rapturous applause" exist, this phrase remains a standard, reliable choice for indicating strong approval without being overly hyperbolic. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and universal acceptance in standard English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

thunderous applause

Suggests a much louder and more powerful sound than enthusiastic alone

resounding applause

Focuses on the echoing and impactful nature of the sound

rapturous applause

Conveys a feeling of extreme joy or ecstasy from the crowd

standing ovation

Implies the audience stood up to show their approval

prolonged applause

Highlights the duration of the clapping rather than just the intensity

hearty applause

Suggests a loud, cheerful and wholesome response

warm applause

Indicates a friendly and sincere but perhaps less intense reception

vigorous clapping

Emphasizes the physical energy put into the act of applauding

stormy applause

Often used in political contexts to describe an intense, sudden outburst of clapping

generous applause

Implies that the audience was particularly kind or bountiful with their praise

FAQs

How do I use "enthusiastic applause" in a sentence?

You can use it as a noun phrase to describe a reaction, for example: "The director's speech was met with "enthusiastic applause" from the cast."

What is the difference between "enthusiastic applause" and a "standing ovation"?

While both indicate high approval, "enthusiastic applause" refers to the energy of the clapping, whereas a "standing ovation" explicitly means the audience rose to their feet.

Can I say "stormy applause" instead?

Yes, though "stormy applause" is more common in older literature or translations from Russian (literally 'burniye aplodismenty') and sounds more dramatic than "enthusiastic applause".

Is "enthusiastic applause" suitable for formal reports?

Yes, it is frequently used in formal news reporting and academic descriptions of events to objectively describe a positive crowd response.