ticktack: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal
Quick answer
What does “ticktack” mean?
A rhythmic ticking or tapping sound, often regular and mechanical, like that of a clock.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A rhythmic ticking or tapping sound, often regular and mechanical, like that of a clock.
A system of signalling, especially for horse-race information, using hand signs; can also refer to a simple, repetitive action or sound, or as a variant name for the game tic-tac-toe.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In UK, 'tick-tack' is a recognised name for the pencil-and-paper game (noughts and crosses). In US, this game is exclusively 'tic-tac-toe'. The sound meaning is understood in both.
Connotations
UK: Slightly old-fashioned, nostalgic sound; associated with childhood game. US: Primarily onomatopoeic for a clock; the game term is not used.
Frequency
Rare in formal contexts in both regions. The game sense is low-frequency in UK and obsolete in US.
Grammar
How to Use “ticktack” in a Sentence
[Subject] emits a ticktack.The [sound source] went ticktack.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “ticktack” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The old railway clock ticktacked reliably in the hall.
- He could hear the printer ticktacking in the next room.
American English
- The grandfather clock ticktacked through the night.
- The dripping faucet ticktacked annoyingly.
adverb
British English
- The typewriter keys went ticktack across the page.
- The hail fell ticktack on the window pane.
American English
- The shutter swung ticktack in the wind.
- The dice landed ticktack on the wooden table.
adjective
British English
- The ticktack noise was a constant background presence.
- They played a game of tick-tack on a scrap of paper.
American English
- The ticktack sound of the metronome kept time for the pianist.
- There was a faint, ticktack rhythm coming from the engine.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Rare, potentially in phonetic or onomatopoeic studies.
Everyday
Used to describe a repetitive sound from a clock, typewriter, or dripping tap.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “ticktack”
- Spelling as 'tic tac' or 'tick-tack' inconsistently.
- Using it to mean 'a quick look' (confusion with 'tic' or 'glance').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In British English, 'tick-tack' is a variant name for the same game. In American English, only 'tic-tac-toe' is used.
Yes, though it's rare. It means to make a rhythmic ticking sound (e.g., 'The machine ticktacked away').
No, it's low-frequency. 'Ticking' is far more common to describe a clock's sound.
For Russian speakers, the sound translation is direct ('тик-так'), but the game association does not hold in American English.
A rhythmic ticking or tapping sound, often regular and mechanical, like that of a clock.
Ticktack is usually informal in register.
Ticktack: in British English it is pronounced /ˌtɪkˈtæk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌtɪkˈtæk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a TICKing clock that goes TACK on every other second: TICK-TACK.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A RHYTHMIC SOUND (The ticktack of the clock measured the slow afternoon).
Practice
Quiz
In British English, 'tick-tack' can also refer to: