clink

¹

[klingk]

verb (used with or without object)

1. to make or cause to make a light, sharp, ringing sound.

   The coins clinked together. He clinked the fork against a glass.

noun

1. a clinking sound.

2. Metallurgy.,  a small crack in a steel ingot resulting from uneven expanding or contracting.

3. a pointed steel bar for breaking up road surfaces.

4. Archaic.,  a rhyme; jingle.

clink

²

[klingk]

noun

Slang.

1. a prison; jail; lockup.

clink

¹

/ klɪŋk /

verb

1. to make or cause to make a light and sharply ringing sound

noun

1. a light and sharply ringing sound

2. a pointed steel tool used for breaking up the surface of a road before it is repaired

clink

²

/ klɪŋk /

noun

1. a slang word for prison

Word History and Origins

Origin of clink¹

1275–1325; Middle English clinken, perhaps < Middle Dutch clinken to sound, ring, resound

Origin of clink²

1505–15; after Clink, name of prison in Southwark, London, perhaps < Dutch klink door-latch

Word History and Origins

Origin of clink¹

C14: perhaps from Middle Dutch klinken; related to Old Low German chlanch, German Klang sound

Origin of clink²

C16: after Clink, name of a prison in Southwark, London

Example Sentences

The incongruous scene, with veiled women clinking glasses, signals the changes under way and in the conservative kingdom, home to Islam's holiest sites, as deep-seated taboos are gently prodded.

Read more on Barron's

There might be subtle signs she has a boyfriend, like the back of a head, or two clinking wine glasses at dinner, but the 24-year-old says she has no intention of posting his face.

Read more on BBC

Just the clink of glasses and the shuffle of a waiter’s shoes.

Read more on Salon

It’s always pleasantly full, but never chaotic — a low hum of conversation, the clink of glassware, a faint echo of Edith Piaf from the speakers.

Read more on Salon

We clinked our glasses of sparkling water — our drink of choice these days — and marveled at how far we’ve come.

Read more on Los Angeles Times