noun

clank

KLANGK

Clank (noun) means a loud, dull sound of metal striking metal. Example: “The chain hit the floor with a clank.”

noun

A loud, dull sound of metal striking metal.

"The chain hit the floor with a clank."

verb

To make a clank sound.

"The old radiator clanked as it heated up."

How to use clank

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA heavy metallic sound, duller than a clang.

Common mistake

Clank tends to describe a duller, heavier metal sound (chains, machinery) versus clang's sharper ring (bells, gates).

Easily confused with

clang →

clanked past tense, clanks plural, clanks singular

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Test yourself on “clank” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Can you complete this real example?

The chain hit the floor with a _____.

Onomatopoeic, imitating the sound itself.

crash clash clang clangor clangour clangoring

death fight match sleep battle impact agree conflict

bank dank tank wank rank Hank drank stank plank thank frank prank

What does “clank” mean?

The word “clank” means a loud, dull sound of metal striking metal. In plain terms, a heavy metallic sound, duller than a clang.

How do you pronounce “clank”?

“Clank” is pronounced KLANGK (/ˈkleɪ̯ŋk/ in IPA).

How do you use “clank” in a sentence?

Here is “clank” used in a sentence: “The chain hit the floor with a clank.”

What part of speech is “clank”?

Depending on how it is used, “clank” can be a noun and a verb.

How many meanings does “clank” have?

“Clank” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a loud, dull sound of metal striking metal.

death fight match sleep battle impact agree conflict