click

Examples

• All

• The Xhosa language makes use of 15 vocal clicks from various positions within the mouth.

  Academic text (2015)

• I heard the click of his metal lighter as he snapped it shut.

  Fiction book (1994)

• Each time, he made a soft clicking sound with his mouth.

  Fiction book (1994)

• All grown up, then Rose made a clicking sound with her tongue and walked away.

  Fiction book (1996)

• Spider answered with a marvelous sound: a rapid click of the tongue against the hard palate.

  Fiction book (2000)

• The dolphin made a series of rapid clicks, swung its head back and forth, slid into the water, and back onto the rim.

  Fiction book (1990)

• In the Xhosa language, a click made with the tongue can convey a variety of meanings.

• Many African languages, including Zulu and Xhosa, incorporate a distinctive click sound in their speech.

• During the lesson, the teacher demonstrated a click using her tongue to emphasize its pronunciation.

Synonyms

S

suction stop

vsclick

• Specialized

9.9

A consonant made by pulling air into the mouth to stop the sound briefly

is the identical sound but given with a different common label

Compounds

M

mouse click

3 1.6

An action of pressing and releasing a mouse button once to choose or open something

C

click beetle

1 7.6

A beetle that snaps its body to flip into the air and make a quick clicking sound

C

click-clack

6.3

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

C

clickety-click

8.6

A fast, rhythmic clicking sound made by machines or repeated actions

Surface Forms

Etymology