Clink is a light, sharp ringing sound that happens when hard objects (especially glass or metal) tap against each other. When you touch two drinking glasses together gently, they make a clink. Coins in your pocket clink as you walk, and ice cubes clink against the sides of a glass.

The word itself sounds like what it describes: say “clink” out loud and you can almost hear the noise. This makes it perfect for describing those quick, bright sounds. You might hear the clink of silverware as someone sets the table, or the clink of a dog's collar tags as it trots around the house.

People sometimes clink their glasses together before drinking to celebrate something or wish each other well, a tradition that dates back thousands of years.

The word can also be used as a verb: you clink glasses with someone when you tap them together. Writers often use it to bring scenes to life: “She heard the clink of keys in the lock” tells you exactly what kind of sound was made.