clinch
Americanverb (used with object)
-
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.
verb (used without object)
-
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.
noun
-
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.
verb
-
(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
noun
-
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.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
clinchsimple
-
clinchessimple
-
have clinchedperfect
-
has clinchedperfect
-
are clinchingprogressive
-
am clinchingprogressive
-
is clinchingprogressive
-
have been clinchingperfect progressive
-
has been clinchingperfect progressive
Past
-
clinchedsimple
-
had clinchedperfect
-
was clinchingprogressive
-
were clinchingprogressive
-
had been clinchingperfect progressive
Future
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It’s located at Clinch River, a federal site in the eastern half of the state.
From Barron's • Mar. 20, 2026
A large part of its success is its young star Catherine Clinch, who before “The Quiet Girl” had never acted on camera.
From Seattle Times • Mar. 3, 2023
They saw “hundreds,” Ní Chrualaoí says, but were stuck, until 11-year-old Catherine Clinch appeared.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 14, 2023
Producers actively searched Gaeltacht areas and approached Irish language schools before being introduced to Catherine Clinch.
From BBC • Oct. 30, 2022
There's no use of irritating people by unreasonable suspicions, Mr. Clinch.
From The Smuggler: (Vol's I-III) A Tale by James, G. P. R. (George Payne Rainsford)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
