clunker

[ kluhng-ker ]

noun

, Informal.

1. something worthless or inferior.
2. Also klunk·er. an old, worn-out vehicle or machine, especially a car.
3. clunk ( def 4 ).

clunker

/ ˈklʌŋkə /

noun

1. a dilapidated old car or other machine
2. something that fails

   the novel's last line is a clunker

Word History and Origins

Origin of clunker¹

1940–45, Americanism; clunk + -er ¹; clinker ¹

Example Sentences

Still, even if they were no longer immune to the odd clunker now and again, Culpepper, Dawson and Warner all went on to post multiple great seasons after their first tastes of poor play.

From FiveThirtyEight

The Packers have won six straight games since their pitiful 38-3 season-opening clunker against New Orleans.

From Washington Post

Rent, utilities, replacing the clunker of a car with less clunky car.

From Washington Post

Aldama will continue to do food deliveries as long as his clunker of a car starts, and he plans to apply for more in-person jobs after he’s vaccinated.

From Time

His last outing was a clunker against the Nationals in which he allowed five runs on three hits, walked three and recorded just one out.

From Washington Post

And for the second time in six months, he delivered a clunker.

From The Daily Beast

Related Words

• auto
• automobile
• bus
• convertible
• jeep
• limousine
• machine
• motor
• pickup
• ride
• station wagon
• truck
• van
• wagon