acclaim
uh-KLEYM
/əˈkleɪm/
Enthusiastic, public, and loud approval or praise.
Acclaim is often immediate and vocal. It is the reaction of an audience or critics to a specific performance, book, or action.
The story behind the word. In ancient Rome, when a victorious general marched through the streets, the crowds would shout in unison to honor him. This Latin root 'clamare' (to shout) combined with 'ad-' (to) to form 'acclamare', meaning to shout approval at someone.
Word relationships
- applause: Applause is the physical act of clapping, while acclaim is the broader concept of public praise and approval.
- commendation: Commendation is formal, official praise, whereas acclaim is enthusiastic and emotional.
- criticism: Criticism is the expression of disapproval based on perceived faults or mistakes.
- condemnation: Condemnation is strong, public disapproval and censure.
Commonly confused with
- claim: To claim is to assert ownership or truth; to acclaim is to praise loudly.
Word family
- acclamation (noun): Loud and enthusiastic approval, typically by a crowd.
- acclaimed (adjective): Publicly praised and celebrated.
Collocations
- critical acclaim
- universal acclaim
- popular acclaim
- acclaim the winner
Example sentences
- "The novel was received with critical acclaim and quickly rose to the top of the bestseller lists." Describing the reception of a masterpiece
- "The crowd began to acclaim the young pianist as she finished her final, breathtaking concerto." A public performance
Memory hook
Think of a crowd 'claiming' that an actor is great by shouting 'Ah!' in excitement: 'Ah-claim!' Shouting 'aim' for the stars with loud praise.
When not to use
Do not use acclaim for quiet, private respect; it implies a public, outward demonstration of praise.
Fun facts
- In the early Catholic Church, popes were sometimes elected 'by acclamation'—meaning the cardinals simply shouted out the name of the candidate in unison, rather than casting secret ballots.
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