Definition

1. Noun:

   • A loud, rattling sound: A "clatter" is a continuous, sharp, and often unpleasant noise made by hard objects striking together or falling.
   • A state of noisy commotion: "Clatter" can also refer to a loud, confused din, such as that from many people talking or moving about.

2. Verb:

   • To make a loud, rattling sound: To "clatter" means to move or fall with a loud, sharp, repeated noise, typically caused by hard objects hitting each other.
   • To talk rapidly and noisily: "Clatter" can also mean to talk in a rapid, noisy, and often trivial manner.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The sudden clatter of dishes from the kitchen startled everyone.
  • He couldn't concentrate over the clatter of the old typewriter.

• Verb:

  • The pots clattered to the floor when the shelf collapsed.
  • The cart's wheels clattered over the cobblestone street.

Advanced Usage

• "to clatter about/around": to move around noisily.

  • I could hear the children clattering about upstairs.

• "to clatter down/along": to move noisily in a particular direction.

  • The train clattered along the old tracks.

Variants and Related Words

• Clattering (adj): Making a loud, rattling sound.

  • The clattering machinery made conversation impossible.

• Clatterer (n): (Rare) One who or that which clatters; a noisy talker.

Synonyms

• Rattle: A rapid succession of short, sharp sounds.
• Din: A loud, unpleasant, and prolonged noise.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Clatter down: To fall or move downward with a clattering sound.

  • The stack of books clattered down from the desk.

• Clatter against: To strike something with a clattering noise.

  • The hail clattered against the windowpane.

Related Idioms

• A right clatter: (Informal, chiefly British) A lot of noise or fuss.

  • The kids were making a right clatter in the playroom.

• Clatter and bang: Emphasizing a very loud, chaotic noise.

  • The construction site was all clatter and bang.

Noun

1. a rattling noise (often produced by rapid movement)
   • the shutters clattered against the house
   • the clatter of iron wheels on cobblestones

Verb

1. make a rattling sound
   • clattering dishes