clunker: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Medium-LowInformal, Colloquial
Quick answer
What does “clunker” mean?
A term primarily used to describe an old, unreliable, and poorly functioning vehicle, especially a car.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A term primarily used to describe an old, unreliable, and poorly functioning vehicle, especially a car.
Can refer to any old, heavy, or inefficient piece of machinery or equipment. Also used informally to describe a conspicuous failure, such as a bad film, book, or performance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More common in American English. British English might prefer terms like 'banger', 'old banger', or 'rust bucket' for a car. 'Clunker' is understood but less frequent.
Connotations
In AmE, it strongly suggests a car that is both old and mechanically unsound. In BrE, it may sound like an Americanism and might be used more broadly for any large, noisy, inefficient object.
Frequency
High frequency in AmE informal contexts; lower in BrE.
Grammar
How to Use “clunker” in a Sentence
[verb] + clunker (e.g., drive, own, fix, scrap)clunker + of + a + [noun] (e.g., a clunker of a movie)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “clunker” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The old transit van clunkered its way up the hill.
American English
- My truck is finally clunkering out after 20 years.
adjective
British English
- He's got a few clunker ideas about marketing.
American English
- That was a clunker movie, don't waste your time.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in used car sales contexts or discussions of trade-in/scrappage schemes.
Academic
Virtually never used.
Everyday
Common in informal conversation about cars or other failing items.
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “clunker”
Strong
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “clunker”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “clunker”
- Using it in formal writing.
- Applying it only to cars (it can be used more broadly).
- Spelling as 'cluncker'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while most commonly used for cars, it can humorously describe any old, failing machine or even a failed creative work like a film or book.
Not rude, but it is informal and can be slightly dismissive. It's often used affectionately about one's own possessions.
A 'clunker' is old, broken, and undesirable. A 'classic car' is old but valued, often in good condition and admired.
Informally, yes, especially in American English (e.g., 'The engine clunkered to a stop'), but the noun form is vastly more common.
A term primarily used to describe an old, unreliable, and poorly functioning vehicle, especially a car.
Clunker is usually informal, colloquial in register.
Clunker: in British English it is pronounced /ˈklʌŋkə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈklʌŋkər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Cash for Clunkers (a government program)”
- “a clunker of a deal”
- “a real clunker (of a performance)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the sound 'CLUNK-CLUNK' an old car makes. A 'clunker' is a car that goes 'clunk'.
Conceptual Metaphor
INEFFICIENCY/FAILURE IS A NOISY, BROKEN MACHINE.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'clunker' LEAST likely to be used?