click
click Lexical Profile
click Game Scores & Validity
• noun
An act of pressing a button on a computer mouse or tapping a touchscreen to select an interface item or follow a hyperlink.
"Users can access the entire digital archive with just a few clicks."
A short, sharp sound, as of a switch being operated or of two hard objects coming smartly into contact.
"The door closed behind them with a quiet metallic click."
A speech sound produced by creating a closure in the vocal tract and releasing it sharply to draw air into the mouth, used as a regular consonant in several southern African languages.
"Languages of the Khoisan families are famous for their extensive inventory of consonantal clicks."
A small pivoted catch or pawl that engages with the teeth of a ratchet wheel to prevent backward motion.
"The watchmaker carefully inspected the tiny steel click inside the winding mechanism."
• verb
To make or cause to make a short, sharp, non-resonant sound.
"She clicked her tongue in mild disapproval when she saw the mess."
To press a button on a computer mouse or select a digital element on a screen.
"Please click the submit button once you have completed the registration form."
To suddenly become clear, understandable, or coherent (informal).
"After reviewing the calculus problem for an hour, the concept finally clicked in his mind."
To instantly establish a friendly rapport or harmonious relationship with someone (informal).
"The two research partners clicked immediately and went on to collaborate for decades."
• interjection
Used to imitate a sudden, sharp snapping sound, such as a camera shutter, a latch engaging, or a telephone receiver being hung up.
"Click! The photographer captured the candid moment just as the child smiled."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse with the homophone 'clique' (sometimes pronounced the same in American English), which refers to an exclusive group of people.
• Rhymes for click
Word Origin & Etymology
First recorded in the late 16th century, the word is of imitative (onomatopoeic) origin, mimicking a short, sharp, non-resonant sound.