clunk: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, onomatopoeic
Quick answer
What does “clunk” mean?
A dull, heavy, metallic sound, often made by two solid objects hitting each other.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A dull, heavy, metallic sound, often made by two solid objects hitting each other.
Can refer to a mechanical part that makes such a sound, or figuratively to something clumsy, heavy, or outdated. As a verb, it means to make such a sound or to move or operate with such sounds.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is very similar. The word is equally understood in both varieties. The verb form might be slightly more frequent in American descriptions of car troubles.
Connotations
In both, it connotes a lack of sophistication. In automotive contexts (AmE), it can be a specific diagnostic term for a suspension or drivetrain noise.
Frequency
Low frequency in formal contexts in both varieties, but common in informal descriptive language, especially for sounds.
Grammar
How to Use “clunk” in a Sentence
[Subject] clunked (intransitive)[Subject] clunked [Object] (transitive, rare)There was a clunk from [location]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “clunk” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The old lift clunked to a halt on the third floor.
- I heard something clunk against the hull of the narrowboat.
American English
- The transmission clunked when I shifted into drive.
- He clunked his boots down on the porch steps.
adjective
British English
- It was a clunking great mistake by the defence.
- The film had a clunking, obvious soundtrack.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used metaphorically: 'The old software clunked along until the upgrade.'
Academic
Very rare, except in descriptive prose or technical reports about acoustics or mechanics.
Everyday
Common for describing sounds of broken objects, old cars, heavy footsteps, or awkward actions.
Technical
Used in automotive diagnostics to describe a specific type of fault noise (e.g., 'driveshaft clunk').
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “clunk”
- Spelling as 'clunck'. Using it for sharp, high-pitched sounds (use 'clink'). Overusing as a verb in formal writing.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is informal and onomatopoeic. It is best used in speech and descriptive writing.
'Clunk' is a dull, heavy, often hollow sound. 'Clank' is a sharper, more metallic ringing sound (like chains). 'Clang' is a loud, resonant, ringing metallic sound (like a bell or hammer on an anvil).
Yes, but primarily in British English, often in the phrase 'clunking great' meaning 'very large and clumsy'.
Primarily intransitive (The engine clunked). A transitive use is rare and informal (He clunked the bottle on the table).
A dull, heavy, metallic sound, often made by two solid objects hitting each other.
Clunk: in British English it is pronounced /klʌŋk/, and in American English it is pronounced /klʌŋk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “clunk-click (UK, reference to seatbelt safety campaign: 'clunk' of door, 'click' of seatbelt)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the sound a CLUmsy metal taNK makes when dropped – CLU-NK.
Conceptual Metaphor
INEFFICIENCY IS A HEAVY SOUND ('The bureaucracy clunked into action'), AWKWARDNESS IS A DULL IMPACT.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'clunk' LEAST likely to be used?