Synonyms

clank

American

[klangk] / klæŋk /

noun

a sharp, hard, nonresonant sound, like that produced by two pieces of metal striking, one against the other.

the clank of chains; the clank of an iron gate slamming shut.

verb (used without object)

to make such a sound.
to move with such sounds.

The old jalopy clanked up the hill.

verb (used with object)

to cause to make a sharp sound, as metal in collision.

He clanked the shovel against the pail.
to place, put, set, etc., with a clank.

to clank the cell door shut.

clank British

/ klæŋk /

noun

an abrupt harsh metallic sound

"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

verb

to make or cause to make such a sound
(intr) to move or operate making such a sound

"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

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Participles

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

Etymology

Origin of clank

First recorded in 1605–15, clank is from the Dutch word klank sound

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Some must-have PS5 accessories and games: Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart $40 $70 43% off Insomniac Games’ latest adventure in the Ratchet & Clank series is the most fun entry yet.

From The Verge • Jul. 22, 2022

Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart, a game that is seen by some reviewers as one of the few titles to have made the most of the latest generation of consoles, has seven nominations.

From BBC • Mar. 3, 2022

Clank, clank, clank go the “BattleBots” in a new season of this competition series.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 2, 2022

Of course, it shares the DNA with those older Ratchet & Clank games, so you can still expect a fun, lighthearted romp that’ll have you performing wild stunts and upgrading a whacky assortment of weaponry.

From The Verge • Dec. 25, 2021

Yes, you may stare—it's many a long year since the name of Kate Clank reached your ears, and now that you have heard it, it is not to bless you.

From Valentine M'Clutchy, The Irish Agent The Works of William Carleton, Volume Two by Carleton, William

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023