# clash

Pronunciation: say "KLASH" US /klæʃ/, UK /klaʃ/

## Noun

1. A brief hostile encounter or skirmish between opposing groups.
   - Simple: A short, sudden fight between two groups of people.
   - _The border clash left several soldiers wounded._
   - _Historians still debate what triggered the clash between the rival clans._
3. An opposition or contradiction between differing interests, views, or purposes.
   - Simple: A strong difference between ideas, goals, or interests that do not agree.
   - _A clash of values lay at the heart of the dispute._
   - _The committee struggled with the clash between economic growth and environmental protection._
4. An angry argument or heated verbal dispute between people.
   - Simple: A loud, angry argument between people.
   - _A bitter clash erupted between the manager and the new hire._
   - _The meeting ended in a furious clash over the budget._
7. Clothes worn together that create an unattractive overall effect, particularly through colors that do not go well together.
   - Simple: A set of clothes that do not look good together because their colors fight.
   - _His striped tie and checked shirt made a jarring clash._
   - _The bridesmaids' dresses were an unfortunate clash of mismatched colors._
8. A loud noise resembling metal objects crashing together.
   - Simple: A loud, crashing sound, like metal objects banging together.
   - _The clash of swords echoed across the courtyard._
   - _A metallic clash rang out when the heavy gate slammed shut._
12. A match; a contest played between two opposing sides, often a notable or hard-fought one.
   - Simple: An important game or match between two teams or players.
   - _Saturday's clash drew the largest crowd of the season._
   - _The title clash between the two giants was broadcast worldwide._
14. In hurling, a restart of play in which the ball is dropped between two opposing players who contest possession.
   - Simple: In hurling, a way to restart play by dropping the ball between two players who fight for it.
   - _The umpire signaled a clash after the ball went dead near the sideline._
   - _A quick clash near the goal gave the home side possession._
16. Idle chatter or gossip, especially talk about other people's private affairs. *(dialectal, Scotland)*
   - Simple: Talk and gossip about other people's private business.
   - _The market square was full of clash about the mayor's daughter._
   - _She had no time for idle clash about her neighbors._

## Verb

2. To come into violent conflict with an opposing side.
   - Simple: To suddenly begin fighting with someone in a violent way.
   - _Protesters clashed with riot police throughout the night._
   - _Armies clash whenever neither side will retreat._
5. To argue angrily with someone.
   - Simple: To argue with someone in a loud, angry way.
   - _The senators clashed repeatedly during the debate._
   - _Coworkers clash when deadlines pile up._
6. To fail to look good together, contrasting in a way that is unpleasant to the eye rather than harmonizing.
   - Simple: To not look good together because two colors or styles do not match.
   - _The crimson tie clashes with his olive jacket._
   - _Bold geometric prints can clash when layered in one small room._
9. To make a loud, ringing sound like metal striking metal.
   - Simple: To make a loud, banging sound like metal hitting metal.
   - _The cymbals clashed at the climax of the symphony._
   - _Swords clash whenever the actors stage the duel._
10. To occur at the same time as something else, making it impossible to attend both.
   - Simple: To happen at the same time as something else, so you cannot go to both.
   - _Unfortunately the conference and the wedding clash, so she had to choose._
   - _Two major festivals clashed this weekend, splitting the crowds between them._
11. To meet and compete against each other in an important game or contest.
   - Simple: To play against each other in a big, important game.
   - _The top two sides clash tonight in a match that decides the title._
   - _The champions clashed with their oldest rivals in a sold-out stadium._
13. To strike objects together so that they make a loud, ringing sound.
   - Simple: To bang two metal things together so they make a loud, ringing noise.
   - _The percussionist clashed the cymbals on the final beat._
   - _Protesters clash metal trays and spoons to make as much noise as possible._
15. To engage in idle chatter or to gossip about other people's affairs. *(dialectal, Scotland)*
   - Simple: To talk a lot about other people, often about things that are private.
   - _The two of them clash happily about everyone at church each Sunday._
   - _The servants clashed in the kitchen about the master's private business._
17. To play either of the video games Clash Royale or Clash of Clans. *(slang)*
   - Simple: To play the video game Clash Royale or Clash of Clans.
   - _Most of my friends clash on their phones during lunch break._
   - _She clashes whenever she has a few minutes free, trying to push her clan up the rankings._

## Noun

18. A heavy fall of rain, especially a sudden and intense downpour. *(obsolete, UK)*
   - Simple: A sudden, very heavy fall of rain.
   - _A sudden clash of rain drove the haymakers indoors before noon._
   - _The road was washed out after the night's clash._

## Origin

The word is of onomatopoeic origin, imitating a sound, and is comparable to West Frisian kletse, Dutch kletsen ("to smack, slap, clash"), and German klatschen ("to clap, smack, slap") with its noun Klatsch ("a clapping sound; the din of things colliding").

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/clash (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).