name
Meaning 1
A surname.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Standard Lemma guide
clinch
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
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/klɪnt͡ʃ/
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US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
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rhymes with -ɪntʃ
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CMU ARPABET: K L IH1 N CH Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
name
Meaning 2
A river in Virginia and Tennessee, United States, a tributary of the Tennessee River, named after an 18th century explorer.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Meaning 3
Any of several fastenings.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Meaning 4
The act of bending and hammering the point of a nail so it cannot be removed.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Meaning 5
The act or process of holding fast; that which serves to hold fast.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
- to get a good clinch of an antagonist, or of a weapon
- to secure anything by a clinch
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: grip, grasp
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Meaning 6
A pun.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: obsolete
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: clench
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Meaning 7
A hitch or bend by which a rope is made fast to the ring of an anchor, or the breeching of a ship's gun to the ringbolts.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: nautical, transport
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Meaning 8
A passionate embrace.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Meaning 9
The act of one or both fighters holding onto the other to prevent being hit or engage in standup grappling.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Qualifier: combat sports
Topics: government, hobbies, lifestyle, martial-arts, military, politics, sports, war, wrestling
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Meaning 10
A prison sentence.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: archaic, slang
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 11
To bend and hammer the point of (a nail) so it cannot be removed.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 12
To clasp; to interlock.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 13
To fasten securely or permanently.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 14
To make certain; to finalize.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
- I already planned to buy the car, but the color was what really clinched it for me.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 15
To hold firmly; to clench
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: clasp, grasp, grip, beclasp, begrasp, begrip, belock, clench, clinch, cling, clutch, enclasp, fang, fondle, glaum, grab, grabble, hang on, hold on, hold tight, hold, nab, nim, seize, stranglehold, take
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 16
To set closely together; to close tightly.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
- to clinch the teeth or the fist
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: attach, join, put together, accouple, affix, assemble, associate, bewed, bind, clasp, clinch, combine, conglomerate, conglutinate, conjoin, connect, construct, couple, entwine, fay, fix, graft, hitch, hook, inosculate, interlink, joint, knit, knot, link, marry, piece together, piecen, pinion, splice, unite, wed, yoke
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 17
To hold a boxing opponent with one or both arms so as to avoid being hit while resting momentarily
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 18
To secure a spot (e.g., at the divisional championship) before the end of regular season play by having an insurmountable lead.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 19
To embrace passionately.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Meaning 20
(boxing) the act of one boxer holding onto the other to avoid being hit and to rest momentarily
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: maneuver, manoeuvre, evasive action
noun
Meaning 21
a tight or amorous embrace
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
- come here and give me a big hug
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: hug, squeeze
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: embrace, embracing, embracement
noun
Meaning 22
a device (generally used by carpenters) that holds things firmly together
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: clamp
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: holding device
Narrower terms: bench clamp, C-clamp, cramp, pipe vise, pipe clamp, press
noun
Meaning 23
the flattened part of a nail or bolt or rivet
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: fastener, fastening, holdfast, fixing
noun
Meaning 24
a small slip noose made with seizing
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: clench
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: noose, running noose, slip noose
Narrower terms: double clinch, inside clinch, outside clinch
verb
Meaning 25
settle conclusively
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
- clinch a deal
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: settle, square off, square up, determine
verb
Meaning 26
flatten the ends (of nails and rivets)
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
- the nails were clinched
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: fasten, fix, secure
verb
Meaning 27
secure or fasten by flattening the ends of nails or bolts
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
- The girder was clinched into the wall
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: fasten, fix, secure
verb
Meaning 28
embrace amorously
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: embrace, hug, bosom, squeeze
verb
Meaning 29
hold in a tight grasp
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
- clench a steering wheel
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: clench
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: seize, prehend, clutch
verb
Meaning 30
hold a boxing opponent with one or both arms so as to prevent punches
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: hold, take hold
History
Etymology
16th-century alteration of clench.
Across languages
Translations
35 source translations are retained for this English entry.
- Bulgarian: скоба (skoba) — any of several fastenings
- French: attache — any of several fastenings
- French: fixation — any of several fastenings
- Russian: зажи́м (zažím) — any of several fastenings
- Russian: ско́ба (skóba) — any of several fastenings
- Russian: заклёпка (zakljópka) — any of several fastenings
- Russian: кле́мма (klémma) — any of several fastenings
- Bulgarian: клинч (klinč) — combat sports
- Catalan: agafada — combat sports
- Finnish: sidonta — combat sports
- French: clinch — combat sports
- German: Clinch — combat sports
- Ancient Greek: ἅμμα (hámma) — combat sports
- Irish: greim — combat sports
- Irish: géagáil — combat sports
- Polish: klamra — combat sports
- Portuguese: clinche — combat sports
- Portuguese: clinch — combat sports
- Russian: клинч (klinč) — combat sports
- Thai: จับคอ — combat sports
- Finnish: takertua — to clasp, to interlock
- Finnish: lukittua — to clasp, to interlock
- French: agrafer — to clasp, to interlock
- Russian: сда́вливать (sdávlivatʹ) — to clasp, to interlock
- Russian: сжима́ть (sžimátʹ) — to clasp, to interlock
- Russian: обнима́ть (obnimátʹ) — to clasp, to interlock
- Finnish: olla viimeinen niitti — to make certain, finalize
- Finnish: kiinnittää — to fasten securely or permanently
- Ottoman Turkish: پرچینلمك (perçinlemek) — to fasten securely or permanently
- Finnish: kotkata — to bend and hammer the point of so it cannot be removed
- Finnish: halata — to embrace passionately
- Finnish: puristaa — to hold firmly
- Finnish: puristaa yhteen — to set closely together
- French: remporter — to secure a spot
- French: boucler — to secure a spot
Real reading context