clatter

clatter — verb

1. to produce a series of sharp, loud noises when hard items knock together, or to

1.verbtransitive / intransitiveB1
Definition

to produce a series of sharp, loud noises when hard items knock together, or to move somewhere while causing such a noise.

Example

A pile of metal trays clattered to the kitchen floor, waking the sleeping cat.

clatter + preposition of direction (to)

The old wooden blinds clattered against the window frame in the strong wind.

clatter + against [surface]

Common collocations
  • clatter down the stairs
  • clatter onto the floor
  • clatter against the wall
  • clatter of hooves
  • clatter of dishes
Synonyms
  • rattle

    implies a loose, repeated vibration rather than sharp impacts — e.g. windows rattling in the wind

  • clank

    a single loud metallic ring, usually heavier than clatter — e.g. a chain clanking

  • clunk

    a duller, heavier impact sound, not a series — e.g. a suitcase clunking onto the floor

Grammar Patterns

clatter + adverb/preposition phrase

clatter + direct object

clatter + down/along/on/against + noun

Usage Note

Often used with a prepositional phrase describing the direction or place of the sound: clatter down, clatter onto, clatter against.

Common Mistakes

The dishes clattered when I was putting them away.
The dishes clattered as I stacked them in the cupboard.
The sentence needs a concrete scenario showing the cause of the noise, not just a vague time reference.

clatter — noun

Word family

  • clattering
    adjectiveB2
  • clatteringly
    adverbC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

Clatter, rattle, clank, and clunk all describe noises from hard objects, but each highlights a different quality. Clatter is a series of sharp, overlapping impacts, often from many light objects like cutlery or crockery falling together. Rattle suggests a loose, repeated vibration rather than direct impacts — think of window panes shaking in a storm. Clank is a single, heavy metallic ring, usually from a chain or metal pipe being struck. Clunk is a duller, heavier thud, like a suitcase being set down hard or a door being shut firmly. For example, a tray of silverware clatters to the ground, a chain clanks against a metal pole, and a book clunks onto a wooden desk.

rattleclankclunkbang ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • clatter to the ground
  • clatter down the stairs
  • clatter of dishes
  • clatter of hooves
  • clatter against the wall
  • metallic clatter

Prepositions

Etymology

Imitative/Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

Clatter comes from Middle English clateren, likely from Old English *clatrian, an imitative word that mimics the sound it describes. Similar sound-mimicking words exist in other Germanic languages, such as German klattern and Dutch klateren. The word has been used in English since at least the 1300s to describe the noise of hard objects striking together.