clunk

American  

[kluhngk] / klʌŋk /

verb (used with or without object)

1. to hit hard, especially on the head.

2. clonk.

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noun

1. a hard hit, especially on the head.

2. Informal. a stupid person; clunkhead.

3. clonk.

4. Informal. clunker

clunk British  

/ klʌŋk /

noun

1. a blow or the sound of a blow

2. a dull metallic sound

3. a dull or stupid person

4. 1. the gurgling sound of a liquid

   2. the sound of a cork being removed from a bottle

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verb

1. to make or cause to make such a sound

Etymology

Origin of clunk

1790–1800; imitative; cf. clink ¹, clank

Example Sentences

She never even got to clunk and thud her way through any farmhouses or laboratories like a bewigged bull in a china shop.

From Salon • Mar. 8, 2026

"I was hanging there for a second then I heard a click or a clunk and then I woke up on the floor," he said.

From BBC • Dec. 10, 2024

A loud clunk and the crowd roared as the ball sailed above the field and over the fence for a walk-off home run to seal the championship win.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 20, 2024

I’ve found the gear shifting to be smooth far more often than not, albeit with the very occasional clunk.

From The Verge • Dec. 8, 2020

He had also gotten a clunk on the head, but he didn't even care about that because it was so interesting, what pushing would do.

From "All About Sam" by Lois Lowry