clang

Everyday

1. To make a loud, ringing sound like metal being hit. tree →
2. The loud metal sound itself. tree →
3. In «clanger» (UK, informal): a silly, obvious mistake («drop a clanger»). tree →

In the lessons

In stories it is a sound word for gates, bells, pots, pans and prison doors — it makes the reader hear the scene. It tells the reader something metal has been hit or has shut heavily. Similar: «clank», «clash», «ding».

Examples

• The iron gate clanged shut behind us. tree →
• The fire bell clanged loudly. tree →
• A pan fell with a clang on the kitchen floor. tree →
• The blacksmith's hammer clanged on the anvil. tree →
• The bin lid clanged in the wind. tree →
• We heard the clang of the school bell. tree →
• About the same time sounded the clang of the warriors' trumpets across the heath. tree →

Note

Regular verb: clanged, clanging. It is onomatopoeia — the word sounds like the noise. «Clang» is a ringing sound; «clank» is a duller, heavier one.