# clang

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈklæ̞ŋ/ · frequency rank #45,277

## Definitions
1. A loud, ringing sound, like that made by free-hanging metal objects striking each other.
2. Quality of tone.
3. The cry of some birds, including the crane and the goose.
4. A word or phrase linked only by sound and not by meaning, characteristic of some mental disorders.
5. Alternative form of klang.

## Etymology
1570, of imitative origin.
Compare also Saterland Frisian Kloang, West Frisian klank, Dutch klank, German Klang (from klingen), Danish and Swedish klang, Latin clangere (“to resound”) (which probably influenced it).

## Easily confused with
- **clay** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clang-vs-clay)
- **claw** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clang-vs-claw)
- **clap** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clang-vs-clap)
- **Cong** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clang-vs-cong)
- **clog** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clang-vs-clog)
- **cyan** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clang-vs-cyan)
- **crag** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clang-vs-crag)
- **class** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clang-vs-class)
- **clean** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clang-vs-clean)
- **Clark** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clang-vs-clark)
- **Craig** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clang-vs-craig)
- **clash** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clang-vs-clash)
- **crane** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clang-vs-crane)
- **Clara** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clang-vs-clara)
- **clone** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clang-vs-clone)
- **Clare** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clang-vs-clare)
- **crank** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clang-vs-crank)
- **claws** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clang-vs-claws)
- **Clint** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clang-vs-clint)
- **cling** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clang-vs-cling)

## Common misspellings (8)
`calng`, `cclang`, `clagn`, `clangg`, `clanng`, `cllang`, `clnag`, `lcang`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/clang