clinch
klihnch
Clinch (verb) means to settle something definitely, or make a deal or victory certain. Example: “The last-minute goal clinched the championship for the home team.”
verb
1
To settle something definitely, or make a deal or victory certain.
"The last-minute goal clinched the championship for the home team."
"They clinched the deal with a handshake."
2
In boxing or wrestling, to hold an opponent close with the arms to prevent being hit.
"The exhausted boxer clinched his opponent to buy a few seconds of rest."
noun
1
The act of holding onto an opponent in a fight to avoid being struck.
"The referee had to break up the clinch in round three."
How to use clinch
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo make something certain or final, or (in fighting) to grab hold of an opponent to stop them landing blows.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
clinch the deal
clinch victory
clinch a boxing match
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Word forms
- Plural
- clinches
- Third person singular
- clinches
- Past tense
- clinched
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The last-minute goal _____ the championship for the home team.
Etymology
A 16th-century respelling of "clench" — originally about hammering a nail flat so it can't work loose, later widened to mean "make firm" or "settle for good."
Class of 1500
clinch joined the language around 1500.
See the full Class of 1500 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for clinch
See all rhymes for clinch →Frequently asked questions
What does “clinch” mean?
The word “clinch” means to settle something definitely, or make a deal or victory certain. In plain terms, to make something certain or final, or (in fighting) to grab hold of an opponent to stop them landing blows.
How do you pronounce “clinch”?
“Clinch” is pronounced klihnch (/klɪnt͡ʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “clinch” in a sentence?
Here is “clinch” used in a sentence: “The last-minute goal clinched the championship for the home team.”
What part of speech is “clinch”?
Depending on how it is used, “clinch” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “clinch” come from?
The word “clinch” dates back to around 1500. A 16th-century respelling of "clench" — originally about hammering a nail flat so it can't work loose, later widened to mean "make firm" or "settle for good.".
Is “clinch” a common word?
“Clinch” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
How many meanings does “clinch” have?
“Clinch” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to settle something definitely, or make a deal or victory certain.
