ENGLISH
REFERENCE

click

n. · v.
US //ˈkɫɪk// UK //klˈɪk// click
  1. 1 a sharp sound (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a short, sharp sound made when two hard objects hit each other or when you flip a switch.

    a brief, sharp, high-pitched sound produced by the impact of small hard objects or the operation of a mechanical latch.

    Example

    The door closed with a quiet click so she didn't wake the baby.

    Example

    The safety catch engaged with a metallic click, indicating that the mechanism was now securely locked in place.
  2. 2 computing (n.)
    A2 Elementary Computing

    the act of pressing a button on a computer mouse.

    the act of depressing and releasing a button on a computer mouse or similar input device to trigger a software response.

    Example

    With just one click, you can buy the book and start reading.

    Example

    The user interface is designed to minimise the number of clicks required to reach the checkout page.
Show 4 more sensesShow fewer
  1. 3 to use a mouse (v.)
    A2 Elementary Computing

    to press a button on a computer mouse to choose something on the screen.

    to select or activate an item on a graphical user interface by pressing a mouse button.

    Example

    Click the link in the email to confirm your account.

    Example

    If the application fails to respond, try clicking the refresh icon located at the top right of the browser window.
  2. 4 to suddenly understand (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    to suddenly understand something or see how parts of a plan fit together.

    to become suddenly clear or understandable; to fall into place mentally.

    Example

    I was confused for an hour, but then it suddenly clicked and I solved the problem.

    Example

    The complex mathematical theory finally clicked for the students after the professor provided a real-world analogy.
    • dawn on
    • make sense
  3. 5 to get along well (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    to like someone immediately and have a good relationship with them.

    to establish an immediate rapport or instinctive connection with another person.

    Example

    We met at a party and we just clicked; we've been best friends ever since.

    Example

    Despite their different backgrounds, the two researchers clicked instantly and began collaborating on a new project.
  4. 6 linguistics (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical

    a sharp sound made with the tongue and breath used in some languages.

    an ingressive speech sound produced by coarticulating a velar or uvular closure with another closure in the mouth.

    Example

    Some languages in Southern Africa use clicks as part of their alphabet.

    Example

    The phonetician spent months categorising the various dental and lateral clicks present in the local dialect.

Etymology 1

Imitative of the "click" sound; first recorded in the 1500s. Compare Saterland Frisian klikke (“to click”), Middle Dutch clicken (Modern Dutch: klikken (“to click”)), Old High German klecchen (Modern German: klecken, klicken (“to click”)), Danish klikke (“to click”), Swedish klicka (“to click”), Norwegian klikke (“to click”), Norwegian klekke (“to hatch”).

Etymology 2

From Middle English clike, from Old French clique (“latch”).

Etymology 3

From Middle English cleken, a variant of clechen (“to grab”), perhaps from Old English clēċan, clǣċan, a byform of clyċċan (“to clutch”). More at clutch.

Idioms1 entry

© 2026 English Reference