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clatter

clatter

36 4.0
A loud rattling noise that hard things make when they hit each other
  • noun
  • /ˈklætər/
translation icon : traqueteo
  • Nothing, just a few barking dogs and the clatter of tiles falling from a distant roof.

Examples

  • From several levels farther down, he heard the clatter of Zarn's claws against the stone.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Rose's head is bowed meekly over her plate as we hear the clatter of silverware.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • We cannot talk anymore because the clatter on the tin roof is too loud.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • I could hear loud music, talking, laughter, and the clatter of dishes in the background.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • However, his luck held, and they went down, the clatter of their claws receding as they descended.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Inside the house, the clatter of tin P89 plates sounded in the washtub.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • The door of the bus shut with a rubbery clatter, and the gravel crackled under the wheels.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • For an instant, the clatter of crockery and the bustle of the waiters disappeared.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • The courtyard quickly emptied, echoing with the clatter of many doors and shutters being fastened at once.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • We cannot talk anymore because the clatter on the tin roof is too loud.

Synonyms

rattling
vsclatter
46 4.0

A series of short, sharp noises like something loose hitting

is louder and more continuous from hard objects hitting rapidly
clash
vsclatter
16 2.7

A loud repeating sound made when hard things hit

is more continuous and chaotic rather than single resonant strikes
clank
vsclatter
15 5.2

A loud metallic sound that often repeats or echoes

is broader, not limited to metallic sounds and feels more like constant impact
banging
vsclatter
8 5.5

A loud continuous noise that repeats and sounds forceful

is often continuous and caused by many hard strikes quickly
clickety-clack
vsclatter
1 7.7

A quick series of soft clicking sounds from machines or hard things hitting together

is similarly rapid but applies to many hard strikes not only rhythmic taps
click-clack
vsclatter
6.3

A series of quick, sharp sounds like train wheels or high heels

is louder and more continuous rather than brief alternating taps

Antonyms

660 2.0

A period with no sound or speech

45 1.0

A calm time with little or no sound

How Noisy

din
28 3.9
clatter
36 4.0
clang
28 3.9
to clank
8 3.5
to rattle
151 2.2

Surface Forms

clatter singular
clatters plural

Etymology

Clatter is an old sound word that copies the noise of hard things hitting each other, a 'quick, loud rattling'. So a clatter is the noisy rattling or banging you hear when objects strike each other.