Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

claptrap

/ˈklæpˌtɹæp/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: 2.22 in modern English

Syllables: clap-trap
IPA: /ˈklæpˌtɹæp/

14

Scrabble Score

8

Letters

2

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

Empty verbiage or nonsense.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

A device for producing a clapping sound in theaters.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

A device or trick to gain applause; a humbug.

Countable; Uncountable

Example Sentences

"Klein diagnoses impressively what hasn’t worked. No more claptrap about fracked gas as a bridge to renewables. Enough already of the international summit meetings that produce sirocco-quality hot air, and nonbinding agreements that bind us all to more emissions."
"There had been a suggestion that the child should be with her [while she answers the door], but the mother herself had rejected this. "It would be stagey," she had said, "and clap-trap. There is nothing I hate so much as that.""

Etymology

Theater slang, c. 1730, from clap + trap, referring to theatrical techniques or gags used to incite applause.

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈklæpˌtɹæp/
British English: /ˈklæpˌtɹæp/

Usage

Inflected Forms

claptraps (plural) clap trap (alternative) clap-trap (alternative)

Derived Forms

claptrappery claptrappy

Synonyms

hot air palaver waffle absurdity all my eye all my eye and Betty Martin apple grease applesauce bafflegab balderdash balls baloney

Questions

How do you pronounce claptrap?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈklæpˌtɹæp/.
What does claptrap mean?: Empty verbiage or nonsense.
Where does claptrap come from?: Theater slang, c. 1730, from clap + trap, referring to theatrical techniques or gags used to incite applause.

How to pronounce claptrap

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “claptrap”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈklæpˌtɹæp/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
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