noun
clank
KLANGK
Clank (noun) means a loud, dull sound of metal striking metal. Example: “The chain hit the floor with a clank.”
noun
1
A loud, dull sound of metal striking metal.
"The chain hit the floor with a clank."
verb
1
To make a clank sound.
"Far less straightforward was what happened at about 0130 on Friday June 2 1944, as a long goods train was chuffing and clanking its unhurried way across the darkened landscape towards Soham, from Ely."
— Benedict le Vay, The heroes of Soham (2022)
"The old radiator clanked as it heated up."
"The prisoners clank their chains."
"Slung from his shoulders clanks a two-handed sword, the pommel a huge star-ruby carven in the image of a heart, for the heart is his sign and symbol."
— Eric Rücker Eddison, The Worm Ouroboros: A Romance (1922)
How to use clank
Learner’s notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Plural
- clanks
- Third person singular
- clanks
- Past tense
- clanked
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The chain hit the floor with a _____.
Etymology
Onomatopoeic, imitating the sound itself.
Related words
Rhymes for clank
See all rhymes for clank →Frequently asked questions
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.
