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
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use clinch in a sentence
But after Mitt clinches the nomination and the party unites around him, many of his former foes will miraculously see the light.
Is Mitt Romney the Most Unpopular Likely Presidential Nominee Ever? | Andrew Romano | March 19, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTThe first is that Romney still clinches the nomination, but not this month, or next, or even the one after that.
Obama Gets Lucky in South Carolina Primary Results | Andrew Romano | January 22, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTIn the clinches it was he who brought his fist down on the small of the back, striking the terrible kidney blow.
The Game | Jack LondonAfter the removal of the clinches, the nails should be drawn one at a time with the pincers, and carefully examined.
Diseases of the Horse's Foot | Harry Caulton ReeksThe shoe was roughly but strongly nailed on with eight nails, the clinches of which were all firm.
Diseases of the Horse's Foot | Harry Caulton Reeks
Had these clinches, as Mr. Rogerson suggests, been left unfastened, then the accident in all probability would not have occurred.
Diseases of the Horse's Foot | Harry Caulton ReeksAnd if even further proof were needed, it is found in an incidental allusion which clinches the argument.
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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