clink

¹ American  

[klingk] / klɪŋk /

verb (used with or without object)

clinks, present (3rd person singular) clinked, past participle, past clinking present participle

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 American  

[klingk] / klɪŋk /

noun

Slang.

1. a prison; jail; lockup.

---

clink ¹ British  

/ 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 British  

/ klɪŋk /

noun

1. a slang word for prison

---

Other Word Forms

Conjugated Forms

Present

• have clinked
  perfect
• has clinked
  perfect 3rd person singular
• are clinking
  progressive
• has been clinking
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• have been clinking
  perfect progressive
• am clinking
  progressive 1st person singular
• clinking
  participle
• clinks
  singular 3rd person
• is clinking
  progressive 3rd person singular

Past

• had clinked
  perfect
• was clinking
  progressive singular
• clinked
  simple
• had been clinking
  perfect progressive
• were clinking
  progressive plural
• clinked
  participle

Future

• will clink
  simple
• will have clinked
  perfect
• will have been clinking
  perfect progressive
• will be clinking
  progressive

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

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.

From Salon • Oct. 23, 2025

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

If you’re quiet, you’ll hear the wind roll across the valley, or maybe the bell-like clink of a sage sparrow in a nearby bush.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 4, 2024

Or maybe the appetizers are the whole of it, a nice chance to clink glasses with the neighbors or some old friends passing through town.

From Washington Times • Nov. 30, 2023

There was the occasional clink of cutlery, or the sound of glass on glass as drink was poured, so they were having dinner as they talked.

From "The Golden Compass" by Philip Pullman