clinch
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to settle (a matter) decisively.
After they clinched the deal they went out to celebrate.
-
to secure (a nail, screw, etc.) in position by beating down the protruding point.
He drove the nails through the board and clinched the points flat with a hammer.
-
to fasten (objects) together by nails, screws, etc., secured in this manner.
-
Nautical. to fasten by a clinch.
verb (used without object)
-
Boxing. to engage in a clinch.
The boxers clinched and were separated by the referee.
-
Slang. to embrace, especially passionately.
-
(of a clinched nail, screw, etc.) to hold fast; be secure.
noun
-
the act of clinching.
-
Boxing. an act or instance of one or both boxers holding the other about the arms or body in order to prevent or hinder the opponent's punches.
-
Slang. a passionate embrace.
-
a clinched nail or fastening.
-
the bent part of a clinched nail, screw, etc.
-
a knot or bend in which a bight or eye is made by making a loop or turn in the rope and seizing the end to the standing part.
-
Archaic. a pun.
verb
-
(tr) to secure (a driven nail) by bending the protruding point over
-
(tr) to hold together in such a manner
to clinch the corners of the frame
-
(tr) to settle (something, such as an argument, bargain, etc) in a definite way
-
(tr) nautical to fasten by means of a clinch
-
(intr) to engage in a clinch, as in boxing or wrestling
noun
-
the act of clinching
-
-
a nail with its point bent over
-
the part of such a nail, etc, that has been bent over
-
-
boxing wrestling an act or an instance in which one or both competitors hold on to the other to avoid punches, regain wind, etc
-
slang a lovers' embrace
-
nautical a loop or eye formed in a line by seizing the end to the standing part.
Other Word Forms
- clinchingly adverb
Etymology
Origin of clinch
First recorded in 1560–70; later variant of Middle English clench
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The last time Liverpool had scored five goals in a Premier League game, the sun was out as they clinched the title with a 5-1 win over Tottenham in April 2025.
From BBC
Jordan Chiles with a 9.950 on vault to clinch the W!
From Los Angeles Times
The Scot clinched three scrappy frames before making breaks of 75 and 67 to win the contest 5-0.
From BBC
Security were quickly on the scene, with Messi, the fan and one security guard hitting the ground in a clinch.
From BBC
In May they won their first major trophy, beating Manchester City to win the FA Cup, then added another three months later with a penalty shootout win over Liverpool to clinch the Community Shield.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
