English Explanatory Dictionary

clatter

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To make a rattling sound.
  2. To chatter noisily or rapidly.
  3. To hit; to smack.
noun
  1. A rattling noise; a repetition of abrupt, sharp sounds.
  2. A loud disturbance.
  3. Noisy talk or chatter.
  4. A large group, especially of sibling children; a lot
  5. Alternative form of clitter; scree.

Pronunciation

/ˈklætəː/ [ˈklætʰəː] LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-clatter.wav /ˈklæɾɚ/ [ˈklæɾɹ̩]

Word forms

clatter clatters clattering clattered

Etymology

From Middle English clatren (“to make a rattling sound”), from Old English *clatrian (attested as the Late Old English gerund clatrung), of onomatopoeic origin. Compare Dutch klateren, kletteren. The noun, derived from the verb, is first attested in the 14ᵗʰ century.

Synonyms

commotion racket clatter clattering clacking crackling crepitation knocking patter pitter-patter pit-a-pat rapping ratatat rattle rattling roll rubadub tapping

Antonyms

snap

Related words

reverberation

Derived words

aclatter clatterer clattering clatteringly clattersome clattery
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