click

KLIK/klɪk/

Verbclicks, clicking, clicked

Noun pluralclicks

22 meanings of click

Practice

1
press a mouseverbtransitive or intransitive
To press a mouse button or tap a screen to choose something, open a link, or move around a website.
Like pressing a doorbell: push it down and let it go.
Click the button to open the menu.
She clicks twice to open a folder.
UsageSay click a link or click on a link. Double-click means click twice fast.
2
one mouse pressnouncountable
One press of a mouse button or tap on a link, often counted to see how many people open something online.
Like one tap of your finger on a button.
One click opened the whole photo gallery.
Each click on the ad earns the website a few cents.
UsageSay a click on a link. At the click of a button means very fast and easy.
Note
3
nouncountable
A short, sharp sound, like the one a switch or lock makes when it moves.
Like the small sound a pen makes when you push the top.
The light switch made a soft click.
I heard a click as the door locked.
UsageSay a door closes with a click, or you hear a click.
Note
4
verbintransitive
To make a short, sharp sound, or a series of light sounds like a ticking clock.
Like the tick a clock makes.
Old cameras click when they take a photo.
The lock clicked shut behind her.
UsageOften: a door clicks shut or clicks open; shoes click on the floor.
Similarsnap
Note
5
speech soundnouncountable
A speech sound made by pulling air inward with the tongue, used in some southern African languages.
Like the little pop your tongue makes when you tut at someone.
Several languages in southern Africa use a click as an ordinary speech sound.
She practiced making each click correctly during the language lesson.
Note

Less common meanings

6
verbtransitive
To work a switch or part so it makes a short, sharp sound.
Click the pen to get the tip out.
He clicked the switch on and off.
UsageOften: click a lid shut, click a switch on.
Similarflick, press
Note
7
get alongverbintransitive
To like each other and get along well, often right away.
Like two puzzle pieces that fit together right away.
The two new students clicked immediately.
Good teammates click and work well together.
UsageSay two people click, or you click with someone.
Similarbond, gel, connect
Oppositeclash
Note
8
make senseverbintransitive
To suddenly become clear or easy to understand.
Like a light turning on in your head.
The math finally clicked for her after the example.
Sometimes ideas just click when you stop trying so hard.
UsageThe idea is the subject: it clicked, or math finally clicked for her.
Similarregister
Note
9
interjection
Used to show the short, sharp sound a switch or button makes.
Click! The seatbelt locked into place.
Click! The lamp came on, and the room filled with light.
10
dolphin callnouncountable
A short, sharp sound that a dolphin makes.
Like the quick snap you hear when you flip a light switch.
Divers heard a click as the dolphin swam past them.
Each click helps the dolphin find food in dark water.
11
verbBritishtransitive
To snap your fingers to make a sharp sound.
Like making a sharp pop by pressing your thumb and finger together fast.
He clicked his fingers, and the dog ran straight to him.
Try to click your fingers when you hear the beat.
UsageSay click your fingers. Clicking your fingers at a person can seem rude.
Similarsnap
12
nounBritishcountable
The act of snapping your fingers to make a sharp sound.
Like the sharp pop your fingers make when you snap them.
The magician made the coin vanish with a click of his fingers.
With one click of his fingers, the dog sat down at once.
UsageUsually say a click of your fingers. Many people say a snap instead.
Similarsnap
13
take a photoverbIndiatransitive
To take a photo with a camera.
Like pressing a button to save a picture forever.
She clicked a quick photo of the sunset before it faded.
Please click a picture of all of us together.
UsageSay click a photo or click a picture. Many other speakers say take a photo.
Similarsnap, shoot, take
14
kilometernoun
Another spelling of klick, meaning a kilometer, or kilometers per hour.
The camp lay just five clicks north of the river.
We drove the last click slowly over rough ground.
UsageCount it like miles: five clicks away.
15
become a hitverbIndiaintransitive
To become successful or popular, especially suddenly, like a film or singer.
Like finally winning after trying many times.
Her singing career finally clicked after years of hard work.
Young actors hope to click with their very first film.
UsageSay a film or a career clicks when it becomes a hit.
Note
16
nounobsoleteUK
A knock or a hit, such as a punch.
Note
17
snatchverbobsolete
To grab something quickly.
‘I take 'em to prevent abuses,’ Cants he, and then the Crucifix And Chalice from the Altar clicks.
1716, Thomas Ward, England's ReformationHere, clicks means grabs or snatches quickly.
Note
18
noun
A small catch that grips a gear's teeth to stop it turning backward.
19
noun
A sharp bending of an arm or leg at the joint, used as a move in vogue dancing.
20
noundialectalUK
The latch that holds a door shut.
21
noun
A kind of throw used in wrestling to bring down an opponent.
22
noun
A small part that stops a wheel or gear from turning backward.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of click apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origins

Meanings 1–13, 15–16

This word imitates the 'click' sound. It was first written down in the 1500s.

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

The word imitates the click sound. en.wiktionary.org
The word was first recorded in the 1500s. en.wiktionary.org

Meaning 17

From Middle English cleken, a form of clechen ('to grab'), perhaps from an Old English word related to clyċċan ('to clutch').

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 3 facts

This origin of click derives from Middle English cleken. en.wiktionary.org
Cleken is a variant of clechen, meaning 'to grab'. en.wiktionary.org
The Middle English word perhaps derives from an Old English form related to clyċċan, meaning 'to clutch'. en.wiktionary.org