VOA名师答疑2023--Cheer vs. Applause

Cheer vs. Applause¹

Hi there! This week on Ask a Teacher, we will answer a question about the difference between "cheers" and "applause."

Question:

Hello VOA Learning English,

I am Sina from Iran. I have been learning English with your app for two years. I have a question:

What is the difference between "cheers" and "applause?"

Thank you.

Answer

Thanks for writing to us, Sina.

These two words can mean to express approval or excitement, but the way that these feelings are expressed is a little different.

Cheering uses your voice, and applauding³ uses your hands to clap and make a sound. But let's look a little closer at each.

"I live for the applause-plause, live for the applause-plause, live for the-

Way that you cheer and scream for me

The applause, applause, applause..."

"Applause" is a noun that has two meanings. The first meaning is the approval or excitement marked by clapping hands together. The second meaning is the show of approval through praise or vocalizing.

Lady Gaga sang that she lives for the applause of her fans.

"Applaud²" is the verb form and also has two meanings. When you applaud something, you are showing your approval or excitement by clapping your hands together. The verb can either take a direct object or not.

The crowd applauded⁴ the dancers during the show.

The audience applauded after the musical performance.

The second meaning of "applaud" is to praise or say that you like or agree with something that a person has done.

My professor applauded my work this year.

Let's move onto "cheer."

Much like "applaud," "cheer" as a verb means to show approval or excitement by vocalizing or shouting.

Parents cheered on their children at the soccer game.

To "cheer" also means to perform the act of cheerleading. Cheerleaders are people who lead the crowds at sporting events through cheering and applauding the teams. They encourage their team to win.

Kirstin cheered in school for the basketball team.

As a verb, "cheer" also means to be cheerful or to make glad or happy. We often use this verb with the preposition "up" in the command, "Cheer up!"

You look so unhappy, cheer up!

He cheered his girlfriend up with flowers.

Cheer is also a noun, and its meanings are closely related to the verb form.

"Cheer" is a shout of approval or excitement.

The cheers of the crowd grew louder as the football team started winning.

"Cheer" is the sport or activity of cheerleading.

There are different kinds of shoes needed in cheer depending on what position you are in.

"Cheer" also has other meanings as a noun, such as a mood or feeling, gladness or joy, or encouragement.

Holidays are a time for good cheer and making memories with family.

And we often say "cheers" before eating or drinking at a party or social gathering⁵.

Cheers to the happy couple on their wedding day.

Please let us know if these explanations and examples have helped you, Sina.

Do you have a question about American English? Send us an email at [email protected].

And that's Ask a Teacher.

Words in This Story

scream – v. to shout or cry out

praise – n. spoken or written words about the good qualities of someone or something: an expression of approval for someone or something

audience – n. people who gather to watch a performance

1 applause   

n.鼓掌，喝彩，赞许

参考例句：

• His appearance on the platform was greeted with a burst of applause.他一登上台就博得了一阵热烈的掌声。
• His speech won round after round of enthusiastic applause.他的演讲博得了一阵又一阵的热烈掌声。

2 applaud   

vt.鼓掌欢迎，赞同；vi.鼓掌欢迎，欢呼

参考例句：

• The pupils that had been watching started to applaud.一直在一旁观看的小学生们开始鼓起掌来。
• Please don't applaud until everyone has performed.请在每个人表演完毕后再鼓掌。

3 applauding   

v.鼓掌( applaud的现在分词 )；称赞，赞许

参考例句：

• A low and applauding murmur ran through the assembly. 会众中响起了一阵轻轻的赞美声。 来自辞典例句
• The audience showed its approval by applauding. 观众鼓掌以示赞许。 来自辞典例句

4 applauded   

v.鼓掌( applaud的过去式和过去分词 )；称赞，赞许

参考例句：

• The audience warmly applauded when the performance came to the end. 当演出接近尾声时，观众热烈鼓掌。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The audience applauded after the soprano sang the aria so beautifully. 女高音将咏叹调唱得十分优美，观众爆发出热烈的掌声。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 gathering   

n.集会，聚会，聚集

参考例句：

• He called on Mr. White to speak at the gathering.他请怀特先生在集会上讲话。
• He is on the wing gathering material for his novels.他正忙于为他的小说收集资料。