Standard Lemma guide

clunk

noun · verb · 6 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

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.

  • /klʌŋk/
  • rhymes with -ʌŋk
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • CMU ARPABET: K L AH1 NG K Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A dull, metallic sound, especially one made by two bodies coming into contact.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

The sound of liquid coming out of a bottle, etc.; a glucking sound.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: dated

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

dull; foolish; stupid or silly person.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: derogatory, offensive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

To make such a sound.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • Her old bicycle was clunking along the road.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

noun

Meaning 5

a heavy dull sound (as made by impact of heavy objects)

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: thump, thumping, clump, thud

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: sound

6

verb

Meaning 6

make or move along with a sound as of a horse's hooves striking the ground

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: clop, clump, plunk

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: sound, go

History

Etymology

Onomatopoeic

Across languages

Translations

4 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: kolahdus — sound
  • Māori: ngahoa — sound
  • Finnish: kolahtaa — to make a dull, metallic sound
  • Māori: ngahoa — to make a dull, metallic sound