click

1
[ klik ]
See synonyms for click on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. a slight, sharp sound: At the click of the latch, the dog barked.

  2. a small device for preventing backward movement of a mechanism, as a detent or pawl.

  1. Phonetics. any one of a variety of ingressive, usually implosive, speech sounds, phonemic in some languages, produced by suction occlusion and plosive or affricative release.

  2. any one of a variety of familiar sounds used in calling or urging on horses or other animals, in expressing reprimand or sympathy, or produced in audible kissing.

  3. Computers. the act of rapidly depressing and releasing a button on a mouse or other input device, usually the left-hand button, as to select an icon.

verb (used without object)
  1. to emit or make a slight, sharp sound, or series of such sounds, as by the cocking of a pistol: The door clicked shut.

  2. Informal.

    • to succeed; make a hit: If the play clicks, the producer will be rich.

    • to fit together; function well together: They get along in public, but their personalities don't really click.

    • to become intelligible.

  1. Computers. to rapidly depress and release one of the buttons on a mouse or other input device, usually the left-hand button: Just click on the link to get to the site.: Compare right-click (def. 1).

verb (used with object)
  1. to cause to click.

  2. to strike together with a click: He clicked his heels and saluted.

  1. Computers.

    • to select (a screen object) by rapidly depressing and releasing one of the buttons on a mouse or other input device, usually the left-hand button: Click “OK” to continue .: Compare right-click (def. 2).

    • to rapidly depress and release (a button on a mouse or other input device): Click the trackpad button once.

Origin of click

1
First recorded in 1575–85; perhaps imitative, but perhaps from Dutch klikk (noun), klikken (verb)

Other words from click

  • clickless, adjective

Other definitions for click (2 of 2)

click2

or klick, klik

[ klik ]

nounSlang.
  1. a kilometer.

Origin of click

2
First recorded in 1950–55; originally U.S. military slang; further origin unclear

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use click in a sentence

  • Then the Nome King whispered a moment in the ear of Klik, who nodded and left the room.

    Rinkitink in Oz | L. Frank Baum
  • Inga followed these instructions and when Klik appeared in answer to his summons the boy requested an audience of the Nome King.

    Rinkitink in Oz | L. Frank Baum
  • The Nome King sent Klik for another crown and ordered his workmen to repair the one that was damaged.

    Rinkitink in Oz | L. Frank Baum
  • However, Klik presently came to them, laughing at their discomfiture, and led them back to their bedchambers.

    Rinkitink in Oz | L. Frank Baum
  • He left the room, accompanied by Klik, who had now rejoined his master, and by Rinkitink riding upon Bilbil.

    Rinkitink in Oz | L. Frank Baum

British Dictionary definitions for click

click

/ (klɪk) /


noun
  1. a short light often metallic sound

    • the locking member of a ratchet mechanism, such as a pawl or detent

    • the movement of such a mechanism between successive locking positions

  1. phonetics any of various stop consonants, found in Khoisan and as borrowings in southern Bantu languages, that are produced by the suction of air into the mouth

  2. US and Canadian slang a kilometre

  3. computing an act of pressing and releasing a button on a mouse

verb
  1. to make or cause to make a clicking sound: to click one's heels

  2. (usually foll by on) computing to press and release (a button on a mouse) or to select (a particular function) by pressing and releasing a button on a mouse

  1. (intr) slang to be a great success: that idea really clicked

  2. (intr) informal to become suddenly clear: it finally clicked when her name was mentioned

  3. (intr) slang to go or fit together with ease: they clicked from their first meeting

Origin of click

1
C17: of imitative origin

Derived forms of click

  • clicker, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012