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clunk

clunk

8 6.0
A heavy, dull sound made when something hits a hard surface
  • noun
  • /klʌŋk/
translation icon : golpeteo
  • I walk away and I hear like a clunk, clunk, clunk.
  • a loud clunk
  • a dull clunk
  • a heavy clunk

I walk away and I hear like a clunk, clunk, clunk.

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Examples

  • Delia heard the clunk of a car door at the front, then loud heels on the porch.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • Sam went to replace his bag in the Buick; she heard the clunk of his trunk lid.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • Go away, leave me alone! Clunk! A noise upstairs.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • We could hear the clunk, clunk as he lined up bottles at the side of the bed.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • First you could hear a noise, then it made a loud clunk, then it didn't go at all...

    Fiction book (1997)
  • There was a clunk - Brian propping himself up in bed.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • Suddenly, the green light on the lock goes on and it unlocks with a clunk.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • The TV came on downstairs, and the refrigerator door slammed shut with a dull clunk.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • With a metallic clunk of gears, they lurched into motion.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • As the heavy box was dropped, it landed with a loud clunk on the floor.

Synonyms

thud
vsclunk
81 2.2

A heavy, dull sound made when something hits or falls

is identical in meaning with no major difference
thump
vsclunk
49 3.0

A heavy dull sound something makes when it hits a surface

focuses on impacts by heavy objects rather than any general blow
thumping
vsclunk
16 2.9

A heavy, dull sound made when two objects hit each other

is identical in meaning with no major difference
wham
vsclunk
  • Informal
15 3.6

A sudden loud sound when one thing hits another

is less about sudden loudness and more about heavy dull impact
thunk
vsclunk
5 8.9

A dull hollow sound when something heavy hits a surface

is less hollow and sounds more solid from heavy impacts
clump
vsclunk
1 4.4

A heavy, dull sound that something makes when it falls or hits the ground

refers specifically to impacts by heavy objects rather than footsteps
whomp
vsclunk
  • US
1 8.1

A loud heavy sound when something hits or falls

is the same heavy impact sound but less focused on loudness
clonk
vsclunk
1 7.9

A dull, heavy sound made when something hits another thing

focuses on impact by heavy objects rather than striking between solids
whuff
vsclunk
9.9

A dull heavy sound when something falls or is hit

is produced by heavy object impact rather than soft but forceful falls
tonk
vsclunk
9.9

A loud metallic sound like a clunk or thud

is dull and nonmetallic, focusing on heavy objects striking
thwonk
vsclunk
9.9

A soft, low sound that something makes when it hits a surface

is louder and heavier, coming from impacts by heavy objects

Antonyms

660 2.0

A period with no sound or speech

85 2.0

A soft rustling sound like leaves or silk moving

How Loud

to boom
33 3.4
clang
28 3.9
clunk
8 6.0
thud
81 2.2
knock
81 1.3
tap
66 1.0

Surface Forms

clunk singular
clunks plural

Etymology

Clunk is a word that copies the heavy, dull noise you hear when something heavy falls or metal hits metal, much like clank. So, a clunk is 'a heavy, dull sound', for example the noise of a dropped toolbox or a slamming door.