Clink vs. Chink — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 3, 2024
Clink refers to a sharp, ringing sound like glass or metal objects hitting, while chink is a light, sharp sound often from small objects or cracks.
Difference Between Clink and Chink
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Key Differences
Clink is associated with a clear, resonant sound, typically produced when glass or metal objects come into contact, conveying a sense of solidity and clarity. This sound is often heard in contexts like toasts or when someone is locked up, the term "the clink" historically referring to prison. Whereas chink describes a lighter, sharper sound that suggests smallness or delicacy. It's commonly associated with small objects striking each other or the slight sound made by a small crack or gap when it lets in light or air.
Clink, due to its resonant quality, often conveys a feeling of celebration or the solemnity of a moment, as in clinking glasses in a toast. It evokes a sense of durability and tradition, being a sound that's been recognized and cherished in many cultures for centuries. On the other hand, chink, with its subtle and slight nature, is often associated with quiet, intimate moments. The sound of a chink can denote something small but significant, like the light shining through a tiny gap.
The volume and resonance of the clink make it a sound that can carry over distances and through background noise, allowing it to be used as a means of garnering attention or marking an event. In contrast, the sound of a chink is usually quieter, requiring closer proximity or a quieter environment to be noticed. This makes chinks more personal and less obtrusive, suitable for settings where a more gentle auditory signal is preferred.
In terms of metaphorical use, "clink" can symbolize solidity and reliability, akin to the strong materials that produce such sounds. It's often used in language to convey a sense of security or permanence, as in the bonds of friendship being as strong as metal. Conversely, "chink" can imply vulnerability or a breach, as in the phrase "a chink in one's armor," suggesting a small yet potentially critical weakness.
Clink and chink also differ in their linguistic applications. "Clink" is frequently used in idiomatic expressions related to prisons or celebratory toasts, showcasing its broader cultural significance. Meanwhile, "chink" has a nuanced usage, often employed in descriptive language to highlight the fine details of a scene or object, emphasizing its capacity to convey subtlety and nuance in both physical and metaphorical spaces.
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Comparison Chart
Sound Quality
Sharp, resonant, and clear.
Light, sharp, and subtle.
Common Sources
Metal, glass, or similar materials.
Small objects, cracks, or gaps.
Connotations
Celebration, attention-getting, solidity.
Intimacy, quietness, vulnerability.
Volume
Generally louder, can carry over distances.
Quieter, requires closer proximity or a quieter environment.
Metaphorical
Symbolizes strength, durability, or the act of marking an event.
Often implies a small but significant detail or vulnerability.
Compare with Definitions
Clink
A sound of metal or glass touching.
The clink of glasses filled the room as the toast began.
Chink
A light, sharp sound.
The chink of coins in his pocket was barely audible.
Clink
Slang for prison.
He was thrown in the clink overnight for causing a disturbance.
Chink
A small fissure or opening.
Light filtered through a chink in the curtains.
Clink
To make a sharp, ringing sound.
Keys clinked in her hand as she walked home.
Chink
A weak point that may be exploited.
The detective found a chink in the suspect's alibi.
Clink
An act of touching glasses together in a toast.
We shared a clink to celebrate our success.
Chink
To make a slight, sharp sound.
The delicate chink of crystal ornaments decorated the silent room.
Clink
A place where coins are produced, historically.
The old clink was known for minting coins in the 18th century.
Chink
To fill or close cracks or openings.
They chinked the gaps in the cabin's walls with mud.
Clink
To make or cause to make a light, sharp ringing sound
Clinked their wineglasses together in a toast.
Chink
Chink is an English-language ethnic slur usually referring to a person of Chinese descent. The word is also sometimes indiscriminately used against people of East Asian appearance in general.
Clink
A light, sharp ringing sound, as of glass or metal.
Chink
A narrow opening, such as a crack or fissure.
Clink
A prison or a prison cell; a jail
Spent the night in the clink.
Chink
A slight, metallic sound, as of coins rattling in a pocket.
Clink
(onomatopoeia) The sound of metal on metal, or glass on glass.
You could hear the clink of the glasses from the next room.
Chink
Used as a disparaging term for a person of Chinese birth or descent.
Clink
(slang) A prison.
If he keeps doing things like that, he’s sure to end up in the clink.
Chink
To make narrow openings in.
Clink
Stress cracks produced in metal ingots as they cool after being cast.
Chink
To fill narrow openings in.
Clink
(ambitransitive) To make a clinking sound; to make a sound of metal on metal or glass on glass; to strike materials such as metal or glass against one another.
The hammers clinked on the stone all night.
Chink
To make or cause to make a slight, metallic sound.
Clink
To rhyme.
Chink
A narrow opening such as a fissure or crack.
Clink
To cause to give out a slight, sharp, tinkling, sound, as by striking metallic or other sonorous bodies together.
And let me the canakin clink.
Chink
A narrow beam or patch of light admitted by such an opening.
I noticed a chink of light under the door.
Clink
To give out a slight, sharp, tinkling sound.
Chink
A chip or dent in something metallic.
The warrior saw a chink in her enemy's armor, and aimed her spear accordingly.
Clink
To rhyme. [Humorous].
Chink
(figuratively) A vulnerability or flaw in a protection system or in any otherwise formidable system.
The chink in the theory is that the invaders have superior muskets.
Clink
A slight, sharp, tinkling sound, made by the collision of sonorous bodies.
Chink
(countable) A slight sound as of metal objects touching each other; a clink.
Clink
A prison cell; a lockup; - probably orig. the name of the noted prison in Southwark, England.
Chink
Ready money, especially in the form of coins.
Clink
A short light metallic sound
Chink
(transitive) To fill an opening such as the space between logs in a log house with chinking; to caulk.
To chink a wall
Clink
A correctional institution used to detain persons who are in the lawful custody of the government (either accused persons awaiting trial or convicted persons serving a sentence)
Chink
(intransitive) To crack; to open.
Clink
Make a high sound typical of glass;
Champagne glasses clinked to make a toast
Chink
(transitive) To cause to open in cracks or fissures.
Clink
Make or emit a high sound;
Tinkling bells
Chink
(intransitive) To make a slight sound like that of metal objects touching.
The coins were chinking in his pocket.
Chink
(transitive) To cause to make a sharp metallic sound, as coins, small pieces of metal, etc., by bringing them into collision with each other.
Chink
A small cleft, rent, or fissure, of greater length than breadth; a gap or crack; as, the chinks of a wall.
Through one cloudless chink, in a black, stormy sky.Shines out the dewy morning star.
Chink
A chinaman; a chinese person; - disparaging and offensive.
Chink
A short, sharp sound, as of metal struck with a slight degree of violence.
Chink
Money; cash.
Chink
To crack; to open.
Chink
To cause to open in cracks or fissures.
Chink
To fill up the chinks of; as, to chink a wall.
Chink
To cause to make a sharp metallic sound, as coins, small pieces of metal, etc., by bringing them into collision with each other.
Chink
To make a slight, sharp, metallic sound, as by the collision of little pieces of money, or other small sonorous bodies.
Chink
Offensive terms for a person of Chinese descent
Chink
A narrow opening as e.g. between planks in a wall
Chink
A short light metallic sound
Chink
Make or emit a high sound;
Tinkling bells
Chink
Fill the chinks of, as with caulking
Chink
Make cracks or chinks in;
The heat checked the paint
Common Curiosities
Can "clink" and "chink" be used interchangeably?
No, they refer to distinct sounds and contexts; "clink" is louder and associated with glass or metal, while "chink" is subtler, often related to small objects or cracks.
What is a clink sound?
A clink sound is a sharp, resonant noise made when metal or glass objects touch, often heard during toasts or celebrations.
What is a chink in armor?
It refers metaphorically to a small but potentially significant weakness or vulnerability.
Do clink and chink have positive or negative connotations?
"Clink" often has positive connotations associated with celebration, whereas "chink" can have negative connotations when referring to vulnerabilities, but can be neutral or positive in other contexts.
Is chinking a construction term?
Yes, chinking refers to the process of filling the gaps between logs in log buildings to ensure insulation and weatherproofing.
How are the sounds of clink and chink different?
The sound of a clink is usually louder and clearer, while a chink is lighter and more subtle.
Is it common to use "clink" in literature?
Yes, "clink" is often used in literature to convey the sound of objects meeting or to depict scenes of celebration.
What does "thrown in the clink" mean?
It's slang for being put in jail or prison.
What does chink mean?
Chink can refer to a light, sharp sound made by small objects or a small fissure or opening that lets in light or air.
Can "clink" only describe sounds made by specific materials?
While commonly associated with glass or metal, "clink" can describe any similar sharp, resonant sound.
What kinds of objects typically produce a chink sound?
Small objects, such as coins or pieces of crystal, often produce a chink sound.
Does "chink" have historical uses?
Yes, besides its auditory descriptions, "chink" has been used historically to describe small openings or cracks and the process of sealing such gaps in buildings.
Can the sounds of clink and chink be pleasant?
Yes, both sounds can be pleasant in certain contexts, such as the celebratory clink of glasses or the delicate chink of a wind chime.
Are there any idiomatic expressions using "chink"?
Yes, phrases like "a chink in one's armor" use "chink" idiomatically to describe vulnerabilities.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
