clunk
Americannoun
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a blow or the sound of a blow
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a dull metallic sound
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a dull or stupid person
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the gurgling sound of a liquid
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the sound of a cork being removed from a bottle
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verb
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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clunksimple
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clunkssimple
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have clunkedperfect
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has clunkedperfect
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am clunkingprogressive
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are clunkingprogressive
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is clunkingprogressive
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have been clunkingperfect progressive
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has been clunkingperfect progressive
Past
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clunkedsimple
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had clunkedperfect
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was clunkingprogressive
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were clunkingprogressive
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had been clunkingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of clunk
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:
At times, I found myself fantasizing about nothing else in the world but the satisfying clunk of a torrent of ice from a self-serve soda fountain.
From Salon ● Sep. 2, 2023
“When we heard our first clunk, that was such a relief,” Price recalled.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 23, 2023
After four days of bunting, union flags, Paddington Bear and Jason Donovan, yes - that is the sound of the clunk and clatter of politics returning.
From BBC ● Jun. 5, 2022
The one real clunk in the works is the framing device.
From New York Times ● May 31, 2022
He barely had time to glance around, however, before there was a muffled clunk from behind them: The door had reappeared, sealing them inside the vault, and they were plunged into total darkness.
From "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling
At no point is Desiree’s identity presented in a way that clunks with “very special episode” messaging or talking points.
From Salon ● Feb. 6, 2025
But these clunks are essential to the Busch style, and not just because his plays, with the exception of his Broadway hit “The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife,” have usually been niche-taste, shoestring affairs.
From New York Times ● Jan. 29, 2020
But, like a 10-year-old Prius, the state’s strategy is showing its age, gathering problems and, as it clunks along, crying out for a tune-up.
From Washington Times ● Aug. 3, 2016
They lie face down as the belt clunks back to the surface.
From BBC ● Oct. 17, 2014
With two sharp clunks, the doors flew open and Harry felt his seat tip sideways: Next thing he knew he was sprawled on the damp ground.
From "Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets" by J. K. Rowling
The scene that best defines the story’s idealism happens long before Dunk gets clunked in the head or skewered by a lance.
From Salon ● Feb. 23, 2026
The Bengals clunked to a 4-11-1 finish amid the chaos and confusion of the pandemic.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 8, 2022
At first, I was so nervous that I clunked a few easy returns.
From New York Times ● Sep. 6, 2021
They clunked their way through a first-round matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers mostly by relying on Durant to score a lot.
From Slate ● May 30, 2019
She clunked her turtle head, a hard “Surely can.”
From "Gone Crazy in Alabama" by Rita Williams-Garcia
Daniels strode briskly to the stand, not looking at Trump, her shoes clunking on the floor.
From Seattle Times ● May 7, 2024
He described the film as a "structurally calamitous reboot", adding: "Mulan is clunking, illogical and anaesthetised by political correctness."
From BBC ● Sep. 4, 2020
Foul balls clunking loudly upon landing in the seats.
From Washington Times ● Jul. 24, 2020
This type of wry evangelicalism was about as close to later English Puritanism as Italian eurocommunism would be to the clunking fist of Stalinism.
From Washington Post ● Dec. 14, 2018
“Neville, what — ?” But an odd clunking noise sounded behind them, and they turned to see Professor Moody limping toward them.
From "Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire" by J. K. Rowling
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
