Meaning & use
clanging
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“clanging” is a form of “clang”.
Meanings
adjectivebefore a noun
Making a loud, sharp, ringing sound, like metal hitting metal.
Grammar: Used before a noun: 'a clanging bell.' Can also be used after a linking verb: 'The gate was clanging.'
Patterns
- clanging sound
- clanging noise
- clanging bell
The clanging bell announced the end of the school day.
We heard the clanging of pots and pans from the kitchen.
The clanging metal gate woke everyone in the neighborhood.
verbintransitive
Present participle of 'clang': making a loud, ringing sound.
Grammar: Used in progressive tenses: 'The bells are clanging.'
Patterns
- clanging bells
- clanging against something
The church bells were clanging loudly.
The tools kept clanging against the metal floor.
Word forms
| third person singular | clangs |
|---|---|
| past tense | clanged |
| past participle | clanged |
| present participle | clanging |
Common combinations
- clanging sound
- The clanging sound of the fire alarm made us cover our ears.
- clanging bell
- A clanging bell signaled the start of the race.
- clanging pots
- She dropped the clanging pots on the kitchen floor.
- loud clanging
- The loud clanging from the construction site continued all day.
Synonyms and how they differ
- clanking
- Similar but suggests a heavier, less resonant sound, like chains or heavy machinery.
- clinking
- A lighter, higher-pitched sound, like glasses touching.
- ringing
- More general; can refer to any clear, resonant sound, not just metal.
Word family
- clang verb
- To make a loud, ringing sound.
- clang noun
- A loud, ringing sound.
- clangor noun
- A continuous clanging noise (literary).
Commonly confused: clanging or clanking?
clanging vs clanking
Often confused with 'clanging,' but 'clanking' is a duller, heavier sound, like metal chains hitting each other.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'clanging' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Clanging' describes a loud, metallic sound, so it fits with bells. The other options misuse the word grammatically or with the wrong type of sound.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “clanging”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.