clink
1 Americanverb (used with or without object)
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clinks,
present (3rd person singular)
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clinked,
past participle, past
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clinking
present participle
noun
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a clinking sound.
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Metallurgy. a small crack in a steel ingot resulting from uneven expanding or contracting.
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a pointed steel bar for breaking up road surfaces.
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Archaic. a rhyme; jingle.
noun
verb
noun
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a light and sharply ringing sound
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a pointed steel tool used for breaking up the surface of a road before it is repaired
noun
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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clinksimple
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clinkssimple
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have clinkedperfect
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has clinkedperfect
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am clinkingprogressive
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are clinkingprogressive
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is clinkingprogressive
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have been clinkingperfect progressive
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has been clinkingperfect progressive
Past
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clinkedsimple
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had clinkedperfect
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was clinkingprogressive
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were clinkingprogressive
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had been clinkingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
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
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.
See Examples For:
But on Wednesday, as the clink of bottles mingled with chatter from customers, some armed with automatic weapons, the owners were defiant.
From Barron's ● Sep. 9, 2026
If Quentin Tarantino pastiche were a crime, these films would be hauled off to the clink.
From Salon ● Mar. 29, 2026
I could hear laughter in the background, the clink of glasses.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 6, 2026
Against a backdrop of neon lights and the clink of casino chips, the Nevada caucuses were once a colourful and important stop in the race to become the presidential nominee.
From BBC ● Feb. 5, 2024
She drops Suma’s Cog into a bowl with a metallic clink.
From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera
It’s where she assembled her crew of queer Chicanos, architects in the construction of Valentina, the icon: including makeup artist Ernesto Casillas, who clinks margaritas with her hairstylist, Ricky Fraser, at the bar nearby.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 4, 2023
Much of this pantry porn is performed against a backdrop of rhythmic ASMR-inspired clinks, glugs, snaps, rips and thunks that appeal to viewers' pleasure centers.
From Salon ● Mar. 14, 2023
Crouched around a smoking barbeque, down a back alley in Seoul, Lee Geon-il clinks glasses with his friends and they knock back their first soju of the night.
From BBC ● May 8, 2022
In Swansea, for instance, officials carry out what they call “clink tests” — they go around shaking trash bags to see if there are any clinks or clanks, identifying recyclable objects.
From Washington Post ● Feb. 18, 2022
Inside, silverware clinks, trays slam down, and voices hum.
From "The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman" by Gennifer Choldenko
Champagne flutes clinked as the president and the King raised toasts to one another, celebrating the deep-rooted ties and shared history between the countries.
From BBC ● Apr. 28, 2026
They clinked champagne glasses, and toasted to love and life, before family and friends left the room for the procedure.
From Salon ● Jan. 16, 2025
The shells clinked like coins falling from a slot machine.
From New York Times ● Sep. 24, 2023
“To the queen,” a group of three friends said as they clinked glasses of Guinness beer and watched ongoing BBC coverage of the procession on a cellphone.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 19, 2022
“Why don’t you read that poem again?” my mom asked as she clinked her glass to get everyone’s attention.
From "The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora" by Pablo Cartaya
Perhaps he pictured a shared meal, clinking glasses and maybe a nostalgic movie on the sofa before comfortably sinking into slumber and loud farting.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026
Back in the members’ club, surrounded by budding Renaissance men clinking Champagne flutes, Peter Mignacca announced that he was here for practical tips.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 18, 2026
Hours before strikes hit Iraq's capital, crowds milled in central Baghdad to the sound not of missiles but clinking coffee cups, children laughing and women filming TikToks.
From Barron's ● Mar. 14, 2026
At first, the ladies are all giggles and clinking wine glasses, celebrating the fact that they’ve finally found time to connect.
From Salon ● Mar. 10, 2025
I took a closer look but was distracted by the sound of clinking glass as people gathered around the model.
From "The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora" by Pablo Cartaya
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