clacked; clacking; clacks
2
: to make an abrupt striking sound or series of sounds
1
: to cause to make a clatter
2
: to produce with a chattering sound
specifically
: blab
clacker
noun
Synonyms
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
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
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
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.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
clack
verbˈklak
: to make or cause to make a clattering or clicking sound
clack
noun
clacker
noun
More from Merriam-Webster on clack
Nglish: Translation of clack for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of clack for Arabic Speakers
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share