clack

1 of 2

verb

clacked; clacking; clacks

intransitive verb

1
2
: to make an abrupt striking sound or series of sounds
3
of fowl : cackle, cluck

transitive verb

1
: to cause to make a clatter
2
: to produce with a chattering sound
specifically : blab
clacker noun

clack

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: rapid continuous talk : chatter
b
: tongue
2
archaic : an object (such as a valve) that produces clapping or rattling noises usually in regular rapid sequence
3
: a sound of clacking
the clack of a typewriter

Examples of clack in a Sentence

Verb I heard her heels clacking down the hall. He clacked his teeth together.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Dave and Jody Madore walked up Lincoln Street with their 8-year-old daughter, Cadence, her white heels clacking against the asphalt. Alexandra E. Petri, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2023 Outside are white-tablecloth four-tops convenient for surveying the expensively heeled clacking down the leafy street. Jiayang Fan, The New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2023 Interfacing with a screen involved arms, hands, and fingers all in motion on clacking keyboards and roving mice. WIRED, 19 Sep. 2023 The clacking rattle of steel wheels on steel rails creates a lulling percussive soundtrack. Patricia Harris and David Lyon, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Sep. 2023 The sea was shamelessly turquoise, the clouds feathery; the palm fronds clacked like castanets. Matthew Gavin Frank, Harper's Magazine, 2 June 2023 Scientists often test auditory processing in artificial, silent settings, but real life usually comes with a background of sounds like clacking keyboards, chattering voices and car horns. Jillian Kramer, Scientific American, 1 Mar. 2020 In fact, some argue that during tough bites—perhaps when that aforementioned window should be closed—the sound of a topwater lure gurgling, clacking, or chugging across the surface can be so enticing even a shut-off musky will turn on. Joe Cermele, Field & Stream, 25 Apr. 2023 Rows of reporters sit behind them clacking away on keyboards, earning a request from Davis that reporters attempt to type more quietly so as not to make the jurors think one moment is more noteworthy than others. NBC News, 19 Apr. 2023
Noun
Once built, the rounded keys clack and the paper carriage moves. New York Times, 1 Nov. 2023 Gates, a veteran caterer who received culinary training at St. Philip’s College, knows his menu isn’t the typical bill-of-fare for a place where customers line up for cheap beer specials while the clack of pool balls and shot glasses tapping the bar provide a rhythmic soundtrack in the background. Paul Stephen, San Antonio Express-News, 4 May 2021 Depending on the day of the week, the space may clickety-clack to the sound of a lathe winding molybdenum wire around side rods, or the ragged hiss of gas flames heating and sealing glass bulbs. Roy Furchgott, WIRED, 28 Mar. 2023 Tactile switches provide a small bump and subdued clack to confirm registered keystrokes. Stephen Slaybaugh, Popular Mechanics, 14 Feb. 2023 After all, you’re used to the daily rhythms and noises of your animal friend, like the clickety-clack of nails on your wood floor. Lianna Bass, SELF, 7 July 2022 Ultimately, you’re left with the ability to bring new ideas to life with the stroke of a pen (or, more likely, clack of a keyboard). Ellen McAlpine, CNN Underscored, 6 Nov. 2020 The rattling clickety clack of a skateboard rolling across concrete is music to the ears of novice and experienced skaters alike and no place is that sound heard more often than at a skate park. Rebecca Treon, Chron, 29 Jan. 2023 As the coaster rises, the clickety-clack turns to screams and sparks in the night when the hydraulics securing the restraints fail. Michael Lee Simpson, EW.com, 31 Oct. 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'clack.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, of imitative origin

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of clack was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near clack

Cite this Entry

“Clack.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clack. Accessed 4 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

clack

verb
ˈklak
: to make or cause to make a clattering or clicking sound
clack noun
clacker noun

More from Merriam-Webster on clack

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