noun
Common
clash
KLASH
Clash (noun) means a loud, jarring sound made when hard objects strike together. Example: “We heard the clash of pans falling from the kitchen shelf.”
noun
1
A loud, jarring sound made when hard objects strike together.
"We heard the clash of pans falling from the kitchen shelf."
"A sudden clash of metal lids startled the sleeping cat."
"There was a clash of cymbals at the climax of the song."
2
A serious disagreement, fight, or conflict between people or groups.
"A bitter clash over the new budget left the committee badly divided."
"The meeting ended in a clash between the two department heads."
"Border clashes broke out between the two countries."
verb
1
To disagree or fight, often heatedly.
"I often clash with my manager about how the work should be done."
"The two neighbours clashed again over the noisy party next door."
"The siblings clashed constantly over the inheritance."
2
Of colours, patterns, or styles: to look bad together.
"Those red curtains clash with the pink sofa, so we are changing them."
"Don't wear stripes with that jacket, because the patterns will clash."
"That orange tie clashes horribly with his green shirt."
3
To happen at the same time, making it impossible to attend both.
"My dentist appointment clashes with the team meeting, so I need to rearrange one."
"Her dance class clashed with football practice, so she could not do both."
"Unfortunately, the two concerts clash on the same evening."
How to use clash
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA collision, disagreement, or mismatch — used for sounds, conflicts, colours, and clashing schedules alike.
Common pairings
clash of opinions
colours that clash
the two events clash
a violent clash
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Word forms
- Plural
- clashes
- Third person singular
- clashes
- Past tense
- clashed
Fill the gap
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We heard the _____ of pans falling from the kitchen shelf.
Etymology
Imitative (onomatopoeic) in origin, echoing the sound of a sudden collision — related to similar "clap/slap" words in Dutch and German.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for clash
See all rhymes for clash →Frequently asked questions
What does “clash” mean?
The word “clash” means a loud, jarring sound made when hard objects strike together. In plain terms, a collision, disagreement, or mismatch — used for sounds, conflicts, colours, and clashing schedules alike.
How do you pronounce “clash”?
“Clash” is pronounced KLASH (/ˈklæʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “clash” in a sentence?
Here is “clash” used in a sentence: “There was a clash of cymbals at the climax of the song.”
What part of speech is “clash”?
Depending on how it is used, “clash” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “clash” come from?
The word “clash” comes from German. Imitative (onomatopoeic) in origin, echoing the sound of a sudden collision — related to similar "clap/slap" words in Dutch and German.
Is “clash” a common word?
“Clash” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “clash” have?
“Clash” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a loud, jarring sound made when hard objects strike together.
What is the difference between a clash and a fight?
A 'clash' is a serious disagreement or conflict, which may be verbal, physical, or between opposing groups. A 'fight' usually implies direct physical or heated confrontation, whereas a clash can also describe conflicting ideas, schedules, or personalities.
What is the difference between things that 'clash' and things that 'match'?
When two things match, they go well together and look harmonious; when they clash, they look jarring side by side. The terms are opposites and are used most often of colours, patterns, and styles.
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