click

¹ American  

[klik] / klɪk /

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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

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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.

   1. to succeed; make a hit.

      If the play clicks, the producer will be rich.

   2. to fit together; function well together.

      They get along in public, but their personalities don't really click.

   3. to become intelligible.

3. 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.

verb (used with object)

1. to cause to click.

2. to strike together with a click.

   He clicked his heels and saluted.

3. Computers.

   1. 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 .

   2. to rapidly depress and release (a button on a mouse or other input device).

      Click the trackpad button once.

click ² American  

[klik] / klɪk /

Or klick,

noun

Slang.

1. a kilometer.

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click British  

/ klɪk /

noun

1. a short light often metallic sound

2. 1. the locking member of a ratchet mechanism, such as a pawl or detent

   2. the movement of such a mechanism between successive locking positions

3. 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

4. slang a kilometre

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

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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

3. slang (intr) to be a great success

   that idea really clicked

4. informal (intr) to become suddenly clear

   it finally clicked when her name was mentioned

5. slang (intr) to go or fit together with ease

   they clicked from their first meeting

Other Word Forms

• clicker noun
• clickless adjective

Etymology

Origin of click¹

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

Origin of click¹

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

Example Sentences

If you were asked to pay, you either clicked the donate button or weren’t on the correct site.

From Los Angeles Times

Rhode Island State Police Superintendent Darnell Weaver called it an “endless barrage of misinformation, disinformation, rumors, leaks and click bait.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Something happens when the six clicks in on the counter.

From Los Angeles Times

“It’s a beautiful feeling,” Williams says later, “when it all clicks.”

From The Wall Street Journal

All it takes is a few clicks of her remote to crank up one of the many flaming yule logs that TV offers, and voila: a maintenance-free, rustic glow is achieved.

From Salon

Related Words

• get on