wild applause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wild applause" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a sudden and enthusiastic outburst of clapping or cheering from a crowd. It can be used in various contexts, such as at a concert, a sports game, or a speech. Example: After the performance, the audience erupted into wild applause, clearly showing their appreciation for the talented musicians on stage.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Wild applause.

The New York Times

No. Cue wild applause.

The New York Times - Arts

Cue wild applause.

Independent

There was wild applause.

The Guardian

wild applause from fans. . .

The Washington Post

Then wild applause.

The New York Times

Wild applause and ululating followed.

The New Yorker

They bowed to wild applause.

The New York Times

"No more!" he shouts above wild applause.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It has won wild applause so far.

The Guardian - Film

The audience broke into wild applause.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair this phrase with verbs of sudden action, such as "erupted into", "greeted with" or "drew", to maximize the narrative impact.

Common error

Do not use "wild applause" for events where the reaction was merely polite or expected. If the clapping was measured, consider using "polite applause" or "warm reception" to maintain descriptive accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wild applause" functions primarily as a noun phrase composed of the intensifying adjective "wild" and the mass noun "applause". According to Ludwig AI, it most frequently appears as the object of the preposition "to" (e.g., "to wild applause") or as the subject of an intransitive verb like "erupted".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wild applause" is a robust and highly effective phrase for describing an enthusiastic audience reaction. Ludwig AI indicates that it is a standard fixture in high-quality journalism and academic reporting. It is grammatically sound and carries a strong connotative weight of success and public approval. Whether used in a political context, a theatrical review, or a business presentation, it vividly captures the moment a crowd loses its collective restraint in a show of support. For writers seeking variety, alternatives like "thunderous applause" or "rapturous applause" can offer slightly different shades of meaning while maintaining the same high level of intensity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

thunderous applause

Emphasizes the volume and power of the clapping

rapturous applause

Suggests a more emotional or ecstatic state of the audience

enthusiastic clapping

More literal and slightly less dramatic than using wild

boisterous applause

Suggests a noisy, energetic, and slightly rowdy atmosphere

tumultuous reception

Refers to the overall greeting rather than just the sound of hands

massive ovation

Emphasizes the scale and size of the crowd's reaction

standing ovation

Specifies that the audience rose to their feet in addition to clapping

frenzied cheering

Focuses on vocal noise rather than just hand-clapping

vociferous acclaim

Highly formal and focuses on the loud nature of the praise

unrestrained approval

More abstract, focusing on the sentiment behind the noise

FAQs

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

You can use it to describe a reaction, such as: "The speaker's closing remarks were met with "wild applause" from the packed auditorium."

What is a more formal alternative to "wild applause"?

A more formal or sophisticated choice might be "rapturous applause" or "tumultuous acclaim".

Is it "wild applause" or "widely applause"?

"wild applause" is the correct form where "wild" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "applause". "Widely" is an adverb and would be grammatically incorrect in this noun phrase structure.

Can I use "thunderous applause" instead?

Yes, "thunderous applause" is an excellent synonym that emphasizes the loud, booming sound of the crowd rather than just their lack of restraint.