clunk
/klʌŋk
/noun
1A dull sound such as that made by heavy metal objects striking together: there was a clunk as the receiver went down...
- My heels' sound changed from the dull clunk of shoe on wood to the clipped sharpness of heel on marble.
- This method of tuning the pan is what gives it it's ringing quality as opposed to a dull clunk.
- The pilot walked in after the three clunks had sounded.
2US informal A stupid or foolish person: don’t let her see what a clunk I’m married to
verb [no object]
Move with or make a clunk: the machinery clunked into life...
- The sound of desks clunking and the shuffling of feet against the linoleum, filled her ears, as she got her materials organized and finally went to the front of the class.
- He shook his head and almost expected to hear the sound of something clunking around.
- He waved the man off dismissively and we all watched as his car clunked and rattled its way out of the parking lot.
Origin
Late 18th century (originally Scots, as a verb): imitative; compare with clank, clink1, and clonk.