clinch

[ klinch ]

verb (used with object)

1. to settle (a matter) decisively:

   After they clinched the deal they went out to celebrate.

   Synonyms: confirm, conclude, close, secure, cinch

2. to secure (a nail, screw, etc.) in position by beating down the protruding point:

   He drove the nails through the board and clinched the points flat with a hammer.

3. to fasten (objects) together by nails, screws, etc., secured in this manner.
4. Nautical. to fasten by a clinch.

verb (used without object)

1. Boxing. to engage in a clinch:

   The boxers clinched and were separated by the referee.

2. Slang. to embrace, especially passionately.
3. (of a clinched nail, screw, etc.) to hold fast; be secure.

noun

1. the act of clinching.
2. Boxing. an act or instance of one or both boxers holding the other about the arms or body in order to prevent or hinder the opponent's punches.
3. Slang. a passionate embrace.
4. a clinched nail or fastening.
5. the bent part of a clinched nail, screw, etc.
6. a knot or bend in which a bight or eye is made by making a loop or turn in the rope and seizing the end to the standing part.
7. Archaic. a pun.

clinch

/ klɪntʃ /

verb

1. tr to secure (a driven nail) by bending the protruding point over
2. tr to hold together in such a manner

   to clinch the corners of the frame

3. tr to settle (something, such as an argument, bargain, etc) in a definite way
4. tr nautical to fasten by means of a clinch
5. intr to engage in a clinch, as in boxing or wrestling

noun

1. the act of clinching
2. 1. a nail with its point bent over
   2. the part of such a nail, etc, that has been bent over
3. boxing wrestling an act or an instance in which one or both competitors hold on to the other to avoid punches, regain wind, etc
4. slang.
   a lovers' embrace
5. nautical a loop or eye formed in a line by seizing the end to the standing part.

Other Words From

• clinching·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of clinch¹

First recorded in 1560–70; later variant of Middle English clench

Word History and Origins

Origin of clinch¹

C16: variant of clench

Example Sentences

He has an 0.47 ERA in four career World Series appearances and the steely nerve to take the mound on one day’s rest for the last three outs of this fall’s clinching Game 5.

From Los Angeles Times

Paolini and Errani, who won Olympic doubles gold together in Paris this summer, saved three set points before breaking the Poles' serve and then clinching the opener.

From BBC

He continued to pressure his opponent in the second round, hurting Miocic with a body kick and landing a knee from the clinch, before the former champion responded with a trademark straight right.

From BBC

And is there any truth to the claim that one box contained photographs of Princess Margaret in an intimate clinch?

From BBC

The field is limited to the leading 50 players of the year, with Rory McIlroy on the cusp of clinching the season-long title for the third year running and sixth time overall.

From BBC

Related Words

• assure
• cap
• conclude
• decide
• seal