clang
/ˈkleɪ̯ŋ/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: 2.63 in modern English
8
Scrabble Score
5
Letters
1
Syllables
5
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
A loud, ringing sound, like that made by free-hanging metal objects striking each other; usually, one considered more jarring than melodious.
noun
A word or phrase linked only by sound and not by meaning, characteristic of some mental disorders.
noun
Alternative form of klang.
verb
To utter a word or phrase linked only by sound and not by meaning, characteristic of some mental disorders.
Example Sentences
- "Bang, bang, Maxwell's silver hammer Came down upon her head Clang, clang, Maxwell's silver hammer Made sure that she was dead"
- "For much of this day, Mrs Y. wrote in her diary, covering page after page in a rapid scrawl full of paligraphic repetitions, puns, clangs, and violent, perseverative crossings-out […]"
- "Around, the first Curetes (order solemn / To thy foreknowing mother!) trod tumultuous / Their mystic dance, and clanged their sounding arms; [...]"
- "A dented metal punching bag waiting to be clanged; a solitary object in the rhino's cage."
- "Middlesbrough will wonder whether it might have been different if the volley that Jelle Vossen slashed towards John Ruddy’s net after nine minutes had been a couple inches lower rather than clanging off the crossbar. They should not dwell on that moment too long, however."
- "A cell door clanged metallically and Wentworth was flung inside. He tripped, collapsed upon the concrete floor."
Etymology
1570, of imitative origin. Compare also Saterland Frisian Kloang, West Frisian klank, Dutch klank, German Klang (from German klingen), Danish and Swedish klang, Latin clangere (“to resound”) (which probably influenced it).
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈkleɪ̯ŋ/