clinch
to settle (a matter) decisively: After they clinched the deal they went out to celebrate.
to secure (a nail, screw, etc.) in position by beating down the protruding point: He drove the nails through the board and clinched the points flat with a hammer.
to fasten (objects) together by nails, screws, etc., secured in this manner.
Nautical. to fasten by a clinch.
Boxing. to engage in a clinch: The boxers clinched and were separated by the referee.
Slang. to embrace, especially passionately.
(of a clinched nail, screw, etc.) to hold fast; be secure.
the act of clinching.
Boxing. an act or instance of one or both boxers holding the other about the arms or body in order to prevent or hinder the opponent's punches.
Slang. a passionate embrace.
a clinched nail or fastening.
the bent part of a clinched nail, screw, etc.
a knot or bend in which a bight or eye is made by making a loop or turn in the rope and seizing the end to the standing part.
Archaic. a pun.
Origin of clinch
1- Also clench (for defs. 1-4, 9, 11, 12).
Other words for clinch
Other words from clinch
- clinch·ing·ly, adverb
Words that may be confused with clinch
- clench, clinch
Words Nearby clinch
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use clinch in a sentence
Notably, a 6-turn clinch knot and a 5-turn improved clinch also came in at 96%, but only if they were tied with extreme care.
The strongest fishing knots you can tie | By John Merwin/Field & Stream | March 2, 2021 | Popular-ScienceThat touched me, the clinch that suggested he wanted to share a portion of his life with his oldest friend.
Only the finest vintages and producers will clinch the deal.
The video was directed by Danny clinch and features footage of Hurricane Sandy, atomic explosions, and rising water levels.
Robin Thicke, Jay Z & More Best Music Videos of the Week (VIDEO) | Victoria Kezra | August 31, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTThe photos were shot by Danny clinch in the Salisbury House museum in Des Moines, Iowa.
Lululemon Targets Men; Willie Nelson Fronts John Varvatos Campaign | The Fashion Beast Team | July 9, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
The Rabin government went on to clinch a first-ever peace deal with the Palestinians.
The twit, Guy clinch, is the unlucky father of Marmaduke, an 18-month-old prodigy of domestic mayhem.
A gentle breath from heaven makes the basket decline a little and the ropes creak against the hardwood clinch blocks.
The Real Latin Quarter | F. Berkeley SmithOur natural impulse now is to slightly clinch our teeth when we shake our heads to mean “no.”
The Wonder Book of Knowledge | VariousCould the people of the clinch and Holston have felt the same confidence, they would have spared themselves much nagging.
A Virginia Scout | Hugh PendexterAnd so step by step the devil thrust him into desperation, and strove thereby to clinch the hopelessness of his estate.
Julian Home | Dean Frederic W. FarrarThere would be small chance of another band raiding down the clinch for some time at least.
A Virginia Scout | Hugh Pendexter
British Dictionary definitions for clinch
/ (klɪntʃ) /
(tr) to secure (a driven nail) by bending the protruding point over
(tr) to hold together in such a manner: to clinch the corners of the frame
(tr) to settle (something, such as an argument, bargain, etc) in a definite way
(tr) nautical to fasten by means of a clinch
(intr) to engage in a clinch, as in boxing or wrestling
the act of clinching
a nail with its point bent over
the part of such a nail, etc, that has been bent over
boxing wrestling an act or an instance in which one or both competitors hold on to the other to avoid punches, regain wind, etc
slang a lovers' embrace
nautical a loop or eye formed in a line by seizing the end to the standing part.
Origin of clinch
1- Also (for senses 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 10): clench
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
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