Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

clonk

/klɒŋk/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: 1.38 in modern English

Syllables: clonk
IPA: /klɒŋk/

11

Scrabble Score

5

Letters

1

Syllables

5

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

The abrupt sound of two hard objects coming into contact.

noun

A stick-like tool used to strike the surface of the water and produce a sound that causes nearby fish to attack the bait.

verb

To make such a sound.

verb

To wallop, clobber.

Informal

Example Sentences

"Our milkman is a jovial character, but not one given to yodelling at the customers on his round. Only the resounding "clonk" of bottles advises us that a couple of pints have been left on the doorstep."
"He passed under a low branch now. It hit the top of his helmet with a clonk."
"The minute hand moved with a clonk, and shuddered to a halt on the 9."
"One half-naked kid with a garrison cap clonked on the marimba; the little black rubber balls on his sticks struck fast."

Etymology

Imitative. Compare clink, clank, clunk.

Regional Pronunciation

British English: /klɒŋk/

Usage

Informal

Inflected Forms

clonks (plural) clonks (present, singular) clonking (participle, present) clonked (participle, past) clonked (past)

Homonyms

klonk

Rhymes With

mont blanc honk conch tonk bonk donk plonk bronc conk zonk gonk squonk

Questions

How do you pronounce clonk?: The recorded pronunciation is /klɒŋk/.
What does clonk mean?: The abrupt sound of two hard objects coming into contact.
Where does clonk come from?: Imitative. Compare clink, clank, clunk.

How to pronounce clonk

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “clonk”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/klɒŋk/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “clonk”.
Repeat and practice — Say “clonk” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.