clunk

American  

[kluhngk] / klʌŋk /

verb (used with or without object)

1. to hit hard, especially on the head.

2. clonk.

---

noun

1. a hard hit, especially on the head.

2. Informal. a stupid person; clunkhead.

3. clonk.

4. Informal. clunker

clunk British  

/ klʌŋk /

noun

1. a blow or the sound of a blow

2. a dull metallic sound

3. a dull or stupid person

4. 1. the gurgling sound of a liquid

   2. the sound of a cork being removed from a bottle

---

verb

1. to make or cause to make such a sound

Etymology

Origin of clunk

1790–1800; imitative; cf. clink ¹, clank

Example Sentences

She never even got to clunk and thud her way through any farmhouses or laboratories like a bewigged bull in a china shop.

From Salon • Mar. 8, 2026

"I was hanging there for a second then I heard a click or a clunk and then I woke up on the floor," he said.

From BBC • Dec. 10, 2024

“When we heard our first clunk, that was such a relief,” Price recalled.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 23, 2023

I’ve found the gear shifting to be smooth far more often than not, albeit with the very occasional clunk.

From The Verge • Dec. 8, 2020

It’s a loud clunk of the huge handle followed by an air-suck sound.

From "Ask the Passengers" by A.S. King