1.applaud的基本意思是以鼓掌和欢呼表达赞许或喜悦之情。
2.applaud作“鼓掌喝彩”解时是不及物动词; 作“向/为…鼓掌喝彩”或“赞许”“称赞”解时是及物动词,接名词或代词作宾语。

用作不及物动词
▲S+～(+A)
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。
They kept applauding long after the curtain came down.落幕之后,他们仍长时间鼓掌。
用作及物动词
▲S+～+n./pron.
The audience warmly applauded the performers.观众向演员们热烈鼓掌。
They applauded him for his courage.他们因他的勇气而称赞他。
The audience applauded the play.观众们赞许这出戏。
They applauded the outcome of the trial.他们欢呼审判的结果。
◇ 用于be ～ed结构
The actor was applauded.这位演员受到鼓掌欢迎。
The singer was loudly applauded by the audience.这位歌唱家博得观众的响亮掌声。
The declaration was wildly applauded.这篇宣言受到狂热的欢迎。

applaud, cheer, root
这组词意义相近,都可表示“欢呼”。其区别是
1.applaud与root都可指鼓掌欢呼, cheer则表示一般地欢呼。
2.applaud以赞美为目的; cheer与root常常以鼓舞别人为目的。
3.这三个词均可以人为对象, applaud与cheer还可表示对成功、表演等抽象事物的欢呼。

applaud, commend, compliment, recommend
参见commend条。