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Clonk vs Clink - What's the difference?

clonk | clink |

As nouns the difference between clonk and clink

is that clonk is the abrupt sound of two hard objects coming into contact while clink is the sound of metal on metal, or glass on glass.

As verbs the difference between clonk and clink

is that clonk is to make such a sound while clink is to make a clinking sound; to make a sound of metal on metal or glass on glass; to strike materials such as metal or glass against one another.

clonk

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • The abrupt sound of two hard objects coming into contact.
  • * 2002 , Terry Pratchett, Reaper Man
    • The minute hand moved with a clonk , and shuddered to a halt on the 9.
  • 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

    (en verb)
  • To make such a sound.

    • clink

    English

    Etymology 1

    Onomatpoeic, as metal against metal. Related to (etyl) (m), (etyl) (m), (etyl) (m). Maybe from (etyl) , related to call. English onomatopoeias

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (onomatopoeia) The sound of metal on metal, or glass on glass.
    • You could hear the clink of the glasses from the next room.
  • * 1874 , (Marcus Clarke), (For the Term of His Natural Life) Chapter V
    • When Frere had come down, an hour before, the prisoners were all snugly between their blankets. They were not so now; though, at the first clink of the bolts, they would be back again in their old positions, to all appearances sound asleep.

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To make a clinking sound; to make a sound of metal on metal or glass on glass; to strike materials such as metal or glass against one another.
    • The hammers clinked on the stone all night.
  • * Tennyson
    • the clinking latch
  • (humorous, dated) To rhyme.

    • Etymology 2

    From prison in Southwark, London, itself presumably named after sound of doors being bolted or chains rattling.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (slang) Jail or prison, after (w) prison in Southwark, London. Used in the phrase (in the clink).
    • If he keeps doing things like that, he’s sure to end up in the clink .
  • Stress cracks produced in metal ingots as they cool after being cast.
    • Synonyms
    * See also
    Derived terms
    * in the clink