Word
clank
US/ˈkɫæŋk/
UK/klˈæŋk/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a short, loud sound made when metal hits metal, like a gate closing.
n. a short, sharp metallic sound produced when two hard metal objects strike each other.
Examples
“The old gate makes a loud clank when it shuts.”
“He drops the wrench on the garage floor and it lands with a dull clank that echoes.”
“Each time the freight train passes over the loose joint, the rails give a hollow clank that travels through the quiet night air.”
Examples
simple
“The old gate makes a loud clank when it shuts.”
contextual
“He drops the wrench on the garage floor and it lands with a dull clank that echoes.”
complex
“Each time the freight train passes over the loose joint, the rails give a hollow clank that travels through the quiet night air.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “clank” in context.
Verb
01. clank echoes
“The clank echoes through the empty warehouse.”
noun + verb
02. clank rings
“The clank rings through the quiet workshop.”
noun + verb
03. hear clank
“We heard a clank from the engine room below deck.”
verb + noun
04. make clank
“The loose chain made a clank every time the wind blew.”
verb + noun
Adjective
05. dull clank
“The hammer hit the pipe with a dull clank.”
adj + noun
06. hollow clank
“The empty bucket hit the wall with a hollow clank.”
adj + noun
07. loud clank
“The cell door slammed shut with a loud clank.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. clank of chain
“The clank of the chain meant the dog was pulling again.”
noun + prep + noun
09. clank of gate
“The clank of the gate told us the guard had locked up.”
noun + prep + noun
10. clank of metal
“We woke to the clank of metal from the building site.”
noun + prep + noun
11. hear the clank of metal
“We heard the clank of metal as the shutters rolled down.”
12. make a dull clank
“The coin hit the rail and made a dull clank.”
Etymology
Onomatopoeic.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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