click

¹

[klik]

noun

1. a slight, sharp sound.

   At the click of the latch, the dog barked.

2. a small device for preventing backward movement of a mechanism, as a detent or pawl.

3. Phonetics.,  any one of a variety of ingressive, usually implosive, speech sounds, phonemic in some languages, produced by suction occlusion and plosive or affricative release.

4. any one of a variety of familiar sounds used in calling or urging on horses or other animals, in expressing reprimand or sympathy, or produced in audible kissing.

5. Computers.,  the act of rapidly depressing and releasing a button on a mouse or other input device, usually the left-hand button, as to select an icon.

verb (used without object)

1. to emit or make a slight, sharp sound, or series of such sounds, as by the cocking of a pistol.

   The door clicked shut.

2. Informal.

   1. to succeed; make a hit.

      If the play clicks, the producer will be rich.

   2. to fit together; function well together.

      They get along in public, but their personalities don't really click.

   3. to become intelligible.

3. Computers.,  to rapidly depress and release one of the buttons on a mouse or other input device, usually the left-hand button.

   Just click on the link to get to the site.

verb (used with object)

1. to cause to click.

2. to strike together with a click.

   He clicked his heels and saluted.

3. Computers.

   1. to select (a screen object) by rapidly depressing and releasing one of the buttons on a mouse or other input device, usually the left-hand button.

      Click “OK” to continue .

   2. to rapidly depress and release (a button on a mouse or other input device).

      Click the trackpad button once.

click

²

Or klick,

[klik]

noun

Slang.

1. a kilometer.

click

/ klɪk /

noun

1. a short light often metallic sound

2. 1. the locking member of a ratchet mechanism, such as a pawl or detent

   2. the movement of such a mechanism between successive locking positions

3. phonetics any of various stop consonants, found in Khoisan and as borrowings in southern Bantu languages, that are produced by the suction of air into the mouth

4. slang,  a kilometre

5. computing an act of pressing and releasing a button on a mouse

verb

1. to make or cause to make a clicking sound

   to click one's heels

2. (usually foll by on) computing to press and release (a button on a mouse) or to select (a particular function) by pressing and releasing a button on a mouse

3. slang,  (intr) to be a great success

   that idea really clicked

4. informal,  (intr) to become suddenly clear

   it finally clicked when her name was mentioned

5. slang,  (intr) to go or fit together with ease

   they clicked from their first meeting

Other Word Forms

• clickless adjective
• clicker noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of click¹

First recorded in 1575–85; perhaps imitative, but perhaps from Dutch klikk (noun), klikken (verb)

Origin of click²

First recorded in 1950–55; originally U.S. military slang; further origin unclear

Word History and Origins

Origin of click¹

C17: of imitative origin

Example Sentences

"Once I arrived, it felt like everything just clicked."

From BBC

Initially, the disruption seemed relatively minor – with contactless payment systems out of action, and customers unable to use its 'click and collect' service.

From BBC

I was confused at the change of tactic but too cautious to open up my chats with them in case I accidentally clicked accept.

From BBC

"Of course, it's disappointing but I'm seeing enough from that game and the other games - they were brilliant against Betis at times - that once things click into place, I'm sure they'll kick on."

From BBC

I am covering this game for Radio 5 Live and part of me is thinking that Liverpool are going to click soon and just absolutely annihilate someone.

From BBC

Related Words

• get on