# clink

> English word · Noun · IPA /klɪŋk/ · frequency rank #45,847

## Definitions
1. The sound of metal on metal, or glass on glass.
2. Stress cracks produced in metal ingots as they cool after being cast.

## Etymology
From Middle English clinken, from Old English *clincan (compare clynnan, clynian (“to sound; resound”)), from Proto-Germanic *klinganą (“to sound”).
Cognates include Middle Dutch klinken and German klingen. Related to cling (sound) and clang. May be further related to call.
Perhaps of onomatopoeic origin, as metal against metal.

## Easily confused with
- **clip** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clink-vs-clip)
- **coin** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clink-vs-coin)
- **clit** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clink-vs-clit)
- **Clio** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clink-vs-clio)
- **clock** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clink-vs-clock)
- **coins** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clink-vs-coins)
- **Colin** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clink-vs-colin)
- **clips** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clink-vs-clips)
- **clone** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clink-vs-clone)
- **Clive** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clink-vs-clive)
- **crank** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clink-vs-crank)
- **cloak** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clink-vs-cloak)
- **Clint** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clink-vs-clint)
- **clung** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clink-vs-clung)
- **crick** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clink-vs-crick)
- **clunky** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clink-vs-clunky)
- **chin** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/chin-vs-clink)
- **clan** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clan-vs-clink)
- **Cain** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cain-vs-clink)
- **cine** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cine-vs-clink)

## Common misspellings (8)
`cclink`, `cilnk`, `clikn`, `clinkk`, `clinnk`, `cllink`, `clnik`, `lcink`

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