clash

SayKLASH/klæʃ/UK/klaʃ/

18 meanings of clash

1
nouncountable
A short, sudden fight between two groups of people.
Like a quick, rough fight that starts and ends fast.
The clash between protesters and police lasted only a few minutes.
A sudden clash broke out between the two gangs.
Similarskirmish, fight, confrontation, encounter, battle
2
verbintransitive
To suddenly begin fighting with someone in a violent way.
Like two waves crashing hard into each other.
Rival fans clashed outside the stadium after the match.
Crowds sometimes clash with the guards at the gates.
Similarfight, battle, skirmish, scuffle, brawl
3
nouncountable
A strong difference between ideas, goals, or interests that do not agree.
Like two ideas pulling in opposite directions.
There is a clear clash between what she wants and what her parents expect.
The plan revealed a clash between safety and cost.
Similarconflict, contradiction, tension, incompatibility, opposition
Oppositeharmony, agreement, compatibility, accord
Note
4
nouncountable
A loud, angry argument between people.
Like a shouting match that gets loud fast.
Their clash over money ruined the dinner.
A noisy clash broke out between the neighbors.
Similarargument, dispute, quarrel, row, altercation
5
verbintransitive
To argue with someone in a loud, angry way.
Like two people shouting over each other and refusing to back down.
The brothers clashed loudly over who would drive.
Parents and teachers often clash about homework.
Similarargue, quarrel, disagree, squabble, bicker
Oppositeagree
6
verbintransitive
To not look good together because two colors or styles do not match.
Like wearing one red sock and one green sock: they just do not go together.
Those bright orange curtains clash with the pink walls.
Her shoes and her bag really clashed at the party.
Similarjar, conflict
Oppositematch, harmonize, complement, coordinate
Note
7
nouncountable
A set of clothes that do not look good together because their colors fight.
Like mixing colors that fight each other instead of matching.
His tie and shirt were a real clash of colors.
That outfit is a total clash.
Similarmismatch
Oppositeharmony
8
nouncountableonomatopoeic
A loud, crashing sound, like metal objects banging together.
Like the loud bang of two metal lids hitting each other.
The clash of the cymbals made everyone jump.
We heard a loud clash as the pots fell off the shelf.
Similarclang, crash, clatter, clank
Note
9
verbintransitive
To make a loud, banging sound like metal hitting metal.
Like two trash can lids banging together.
The cymbals clashed at the end of the song.
Pots and pans clash whenever he cooks in a hurry.
Similarclang, crash, clank, ring
10
verbintransitive
To happen at the same time as something else, so you cannot go to both.
Science and music clash on Tuesday mornings, so I had to drop music this year.
My doctor's visit clashed with an important meeting at work, so I moved it to Friday.
Similarcoincide, conflict, overlap, collide
Note

11
verbintransitive
To play against each other in a big, important game.
Like two boxers stepping into the ring to see who is stronger.
The two best teams clash in the final on Sunday.
Last year these rivals clashed for the championship.
Similarmeet, compete, play
12
nouncountable
An important game or match between two teams or players.
Like a big showdown to see which team is best.
Everyone is excited for the big clash between the two local teams.
The clash ended in a draw after extra time.
Similarmatch, game, contest, showdown, encounter
Note
13
verbtransitive
To bang two metal things together so they make a loud, ringing noise.
Like banging two pan lids together to make a loud crash.
The drummer clashed the cymbals at the end of the song.
She likes to clash the pot lids together to call everyone for dinner.
Similarbang, clang, strike, crash
Note
14
nouncountable
In hurling, a way to restart play by dropping the ball between two players who fight for it.
Like two players racing to grab a ball dropped between them.
The referee called a clash to restart the game fairly.
Both players crouched low, ready for the clash to begin.
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15
verbdialectalScotlandintransitive
To talk a lot about other people, often about things that are private.
Like two friends talking nonstop about everything they have heard.
The women clash about the village news every market day.
He sat quietly in the corner while the others clashed about their neighbors.
Similargossip, chatter, natter, tattle
Note
16
noundialectalScotlanduncountable
Talk and gossip about other people's private business.
Like all the talk that spreads quickly around a small town.
There is always plenty of clash at the village shop.
Pay no attention to the clash you hear about the new family.
Similargossip, chatter, talk, tittle-tattle
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17
verbslangintransitive
To play the video game Clash Royale or Clash of Clans.
Let's grab our phones and clash for an hour after dinner.
My brother clashed on his tablet for hours last weekend.
Note
18
nounobsoleteUKcountable
A sudden, very heavy fall of rain.
Like a bucket of water tipped over all at once from the sky.
A great clash of rain caught us before we reached the barn.
We waited out the clash under a thick oak.
Note

Practice

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Origin

This word imitates a sound. It is like German klatschen, meaning to clap or smack.