Skip to main content
tock

tock

33 4.4
A short sharp sound made by a clock
  • noun
  • /tɑk/
translation icon : tac
  • A moment later, he heard the faint tock of the zeppelin's catapult.
  • tick-tock
  • clock tock
  • hear the tock

Examples

  • After Ralphie turned off the lights, everything in the house was still, except the tick-tock of the clock downstairs in the hall.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • - Tick tock, time's up.

  • Tick tock, tick tock, tick tock.

  • The only other sound was the tick-tock of the cooling engine.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock

  • Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock!

  • He listened to the clock's tock echo softly in the quiet room.

  • The tock of the clock reminded her that time was running out.

  • With each tock, the suspense in the room grew as they awaited the results.

Synonyms

click
vstock
73 1.0

A short sharp sound you hear when a switch or latch moves

is the short sharp clock sound rather than a metallic snap
ticking
vstock
27 1.2

A light regular tapping sound made by a clock or watch

is a single short sharp sound rather than repeated tapping
tinkle
vstock
12 4.4

A light clear ringing sound like a small bell

is the short sharp clock noise rather than a delicate bell tone
ticktock
vstock
5 5.9

A steady ticking sound like the one a clock makes

is the brief sharp clock sound rather than a continuous beat
plink
vstock
1 8.6

A short high metal sound from a small hit

is the brief sharp clock sound rather than a high tiny ping
tick-tock
vstock
1 3.3

The regular sound a clock makes as time passes

is a single short sound rather than the full repeated clock noise
tictac
vstock
9.3

A steady ticking sound that a clock makes

is a short sharp clock noise rather than a steady rhythm

Compounds

1 3.3

The regular sound a clock makes as time passes

tick-tock
  • Jargon
7.7

A plan to alternate big design changes with ways to make products better

How Sharp

click
73 1.0
tock
33 4.4
tick
34 2.0
knock
81 1.3
tap
66 1.0
thud
81 2.2

Surface Forms

tock singular
tocks plural

Etymology

Tock comes from the simple sound 'tock' that clocks make and is often paired with tick in 'tick-tock'. So a tock is a short, sharp sound, the regular beat you hear from a clock.