Word
clash
US/ˈkɫæʃ/
UK/klˈæʃ/
Definitions
01a fight or argument
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a short fight between groups or a serious argument between people with different ideas.
n. a skirmish or hostile encounter between opposing groups; also a sharp conflict between differing views or interests.
日本語:衝突※
“There was a violent clash between the protesters and the police outside the building.”
“The policy debate was marked by a fundamental clash of ideologies regarding the role of the state in private enterprise.”
02a sports match
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Sports
n. an important game or competition between two teams.
n. a competitive encounter between two teams or individuals, often used when the stakes are high.
日本語:激突※
“Fans are excited for the big clash between the two top teams this weekend.”
“The upcoming clash in the quarter-finals is expected to draw record television audiences across the continent.”
03a loud noise
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a loud, sharp sound made when metal objects hit each other.
n. a loud, resonant sound produced by the forceful impact of metal objects.
“The clash of the cymbals marked the end of the musical performance.”
“The sudden clash of steel against steel echoed through the courtyard as the training exercise began.”
Antonyms
04to happen at the same time
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to happen at the same time as something else, so you cannot do both.
v. to coincide in time, making it impossible for a person to attend or participate in both events.
“I want to go to the party, but it clashes with my evening class.”
“The conference schedule is problematic because several of the most popular workshops clash with the keynote address.”
05to look bad together
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to look very bad together because the colours or styles are too different.
v. to fail to harmonize or look attractive when paired, particularly regarding colours or patterns.
“That bright orange shirt really clashes with your purple trousers.”
“The interior designer warned that the bold wallpaper would clash with the existing antique furniture.”
06gossip
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Dialect
n. casual talk or gossip about other people.
n. idle chatter or gossip; social talk about the affairs of others.
“She went over to her neighbour's house for a bit of clash and a cup of tea.”
“The local pub was always filled with the clash of the village, where every secret eventually came to light.”
Usage
Common in Scottish English as both a noun and a verb.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “clash” in context.
Verb
01. avoid a clash
“The organizers rescheduled the meeting to avoid a clash with the national holiday.”
verb + noun
02. witness a clash
“Bystanders witnessed a violent clash between protesters and the police.”
verb + noun
Adjective
03. inevitable clash
“The inevitable clash of egos led to the dissolution of the rock band.”
adj + noun
04. scheduling clash
“I'm afraid I have a scheduling clash and won't be able to attend the seminar.”
adj + noun
05. violent clash
“The border dispute resulted in a violent clash between the two neighboring armies.”
adj + noun
Noun
06. clash of cultures
“The novel explores the clash of cultures experienced by immigrants in the city.”
noun + of + noun
07. clash of interests
“The judge stepped down from the case to avoid a potential clash of interests.”
noun + of + noun
Preposition
08. in a clash
“Several players were injured in a clash during the final minutes of the game.”
prep + noun
Real-World Examples
“Soldiers removed the tent but not the bedding and other possessions and, after brief clashes with the settlers, withdrew.” “Both protesters and police officers were injured in the Jharkhand clashes, local media reported, although no official figures were released.” “A British national was shot dead in Pakistan-administered Kashmir during clashes between security forces and protesters, the Guardian can reveal.” Etymology
Of onomatopoeic origin. Compare Saterland Frisian klatskje (“to smack, slap”), West Frisian kletse, kletskje, Dutch kletsen (“to smack, slap, clash”), German Low German klattsen, klatsken (“to smack, splash”), German klatschen (“to clap, smack, slap”) and Klatsch (“a clapping sound; the din resulting from two or more things colliding”), Danish klaske (“to clash, splatter”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
01. clash of the ash
Domain
- 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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/clash
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0