CLICK

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does click mean? 

• CLICK (noun)
  The noun CLICK has 4 senses:

1. a short light metallic sound

2. a stop consonant made by the suction of air into the mouth (as in Bantu)

3. a hinged catch that fits into a notch of a ratchet to move a wheel forward or prevent it from moving backward

4. depression of a button on a computer mouse

  Familiarity information: CLICK used as a noun is uncommon.

• CLICK (verb)
  The verb CLICK has 7 senses:

1. move or strike with a noise

2. make a clicking or ticking sound

3. click repeatedly or uncontrollably

4. cause to make a snapping sound

5. produce a click

6. make a clucking sounds, characteristic of hens

7. become clear or enter one's consciousness or emotions

  Familiarity information: CLICK used as a verb is common.

 Dictionary entry details 

• CLICK (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A short light metallic sound

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural events

Synonyms:

chink; click; clink

Hypernyms ("click" is a kind of...):

sound (the sudden occurrence of an audible event)

Derivation:

click (move or strike with a noise)

click (make a clicking or ticking sound)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A stop consonant made by the suction of air into the mouth (as in Bantu)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

click; suction stop

Hypernyms ("click" is a kind of...):

occlusive; plosive; plosive consonant; plosive speech sound; stop; stop consonant (a consonant produced by stopping the flow of air at some point and suddenly releasing it)

Derivation:

click (produce a click)

Sense 3

Meaning:

A hinged catch that fits into a notch of a ratchet to move a wheel forward or prevent it from moving backward

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

click; detent; dog; pawl

Hypernyms ("click" is a kind of...):

catch; stop (a restraint that checks the motion of something)

Holonyms ("click" is a part of...):

rachet; ratch; ratchet (mechanical device consisting of a toothed wheel or rack engaged with a pawl that permits it to move in only one direction)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Depression of a button on a computer mouse

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

click; mouse click

Context example:

a click on the right button for example

Hypernyms ("click" is a kind of...):

depression (pushing down)

Derivation:

click (move or strike with a noise)

• CLICK (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they click    ... he / she / it clicks   
Past simple: clicked   
Past participle: clicked   
-ing form: clicking   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Move or strike with a noise

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Synonyms:

click; snap

Context example:

his arm was snapped forward

Hypernyms (to "click" is one way to...):

move (move so as to change position, perform a nontranslational motion)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

click (depression of a button on a computer mouse)

click (a short light metallic sound)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Make a clicking or ticking sound

Classified under:

Verbs of seeing, hearing, feeling

Synonyms:

click; tick

Context example:

The clock ticked away

Hypernyms (to "click" is one way to...):

go; sound (make a certain noise or sound)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s PP

Derivation:

click (a short light metallic sound)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Click repeatedly or uncontrollably

Classified under:

Verbs of seeing, hearing, feeling

Synonyms:

chatter; click

Context example:

Chattering teeth

Hypernyms (to "click" is one way to...):

go; sound (make a certain noise or sound)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s

Sense 4

Meaning:

Cause to make a snapping sound

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Synonyms:

click; flick; snap

Context example:

snap your fingers

Hypernyms (to "click" is one way to...):

move (move so as to change position, perform a nontranslational motion)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sense 5

Meaning:

Produce a click

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Context example:

Xhosa speakers click

Hypernyms (to "click" is one way to...):

articulate; enounce; enunciate; pronounce; say; sound out (speak, pronounce, or utter in a certain way)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Derivation:

click (a stop consonant made by the suction of air into the mouth (as in Bantu))

Sense 6

Meaning:

Make a clucking sounds, characteristic of hens

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Synonyms:

clack; click; cluck

Hypernyms (to "click" is one way to...):

emit; let loose; let out; utter (express audibly; utter sounds (not necessarily words))

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s

Sense 7

Meaning:

Become clear or enter one's consciousness or emotions

Classified under:

Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting

Synonyms:

click; come home; dawn; fall into place; get across; get through; penetrate; sink in

Context example:

she was penetrated with sorrow

Cause:

understand (know and comprehend the nature or meaning of)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s

 Context examples 

While not every project will work out, most of those ventures (both personal and professional) will click into place for you.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

Then a key clicked in a lock, and I heard the rustle of papers.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

She heard the rapid click of the type-writer, and when Martin let her in, found him on the last page of a manuscript.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

Electrodes are placed on the head and certain tones or clicking sounds are made.

(ABR test, NCI Dictionary)

He drew his moulinet from his girdle, and fixing it to the windlass, he drew back the powerful double cord until it had clicked into the catch.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

My mother’s cheek was against my own, and I could hear the click of her sobs, and feel her quiver and shake in the darkness.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Von Bork pushed it back, and, leading the way, he clicked the switch of the electric light.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

After lunch Harker and his wife went back to their own room, and as I passed a while ago I heard the click of the typewriter.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

The hand was jerked back, and the teeth came together emptily with a sharp click.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

He heard the click of my pistol and laughed.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)