IPA: /klæŋk/
KK: /klæŋk/
To produce a loud, sharp sound, often made by metal hitting metal.
The metal door clanked shut behind him.
Past: clanked
Past Participle: clanked
A loud, sharp sound made when metal hits metal, often associated with chains or heavy objects.
The clank of the metal gate echoed through the empty yard.
The word 'clank' originates from Middle English 'clanken', which is imitative in nature, representing the sound made by metal striking metal. It does not have clear Latin or Greek roots but is derived from the sound it describes.
Imagine the sharp, metallic sound of metal hitting metal — that's what 'clank' captures, making it easy to remember.