clinch

American  

[klinch] / klɪntʃ /

verb (used with object)

1. to settle (a matter) decisively.

   After they clinched the deal they went out to celebrate.

   Synonyms:

   confirm, conclude, close, secure, cinch

2. 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.

3. to fasten (objects) together by nails, screws, etc., secured in this manner.

4. Nautical. to fasten by a clinch.

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verb (used without object)

1. Boxing. to engage in a clinch.

   The boxers clinched and were separated by the referee.

2. Slang. to embrace, especially passionately.

3. (of a clinched nail, screw, etc.) to hold fast; be secure.

noun

1. the act of clinching.

2. 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.

3. Slang. a passionate embrace.

4. a clinched nail or fastening.

5. the bent part of a clinched nail, screw, etc.

6. 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.

7. Archaic. a pun.

clinch British  

/ klɪntʃ /

verb

1. (tr) to secure (a driven nail) by bending the protruding point over

2. (tr) to hold together in such a manner

   to clinch the corners of the frame

3. (tr) to settle (something, such as an argument, bargain, etc) in a definite way

4. (tr) nautical to fasten by means of a clinch

5. (intr) to engage in a clinch, as in boxing or wrestling

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noun

1. the act of clinching

2. 1. a nail with its point bent over

   2. the part of such a nail, etc, that has been bent over

3. boxing wrestling an act or an instance in which one or both competitors hold on to the other to avoid punches, regain wind, etc

4. slang a lovers' embrace

5. nautical a loop or eye formed in a line by seizing the end to the standing part.

Other Word Forms

• clinchingly
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of clinch

First recorded in 1560–70; later variant of Middle English clench

Explanation

When you clinch something, you confirm it, the way you clinch a deal with your brother to trade chores next week by shaking hands on it. The verb clinch arose as a variation of clench, and its original meaning was "fix securely (a driven nail) by bending and beating it back." Out of this sense of securing something physically came the figurative meaning of settling or securing an argument, deal, or bargain. You can also use it as a noun to mean "an embrace or close scuffle," like when a boxing referee pulls fighters out of a clinch.

Example Sentences

At 5-3 up, Bunting started with six perfect darts to raise hopes of a nine-darter to clinch it but had to settle for finishing off a fabulous display in 12.

From BBC • May 21, 2026

Days later, his younger brother Jack delivered an overtime goal of his own against Canada to clinch gold.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 3, 2026

Santa Monica 6, Culver City 5: The Vikings scored three runs in the sixth and two in the seventh to clinch the Ocean League championship.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 28, 2026

An extra-time winner at Euro 2022 to clinch England's first international title and the decisive penalty three years later to retain the trophy made sure of that.

From BBC • Apr. 25, 2026

It had the effect of a referee’s whistle, separating the combatants from their clinch.

From "Ungifted" by Gordon Korman

Related Words

• assure
• cap
• conclude
• decide
• seal