What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
clicky
Example
The keyboard makes a clicky sound when you press the keys. [clicky: adjective]
Example
I love the satisfying clicky sound of the camera shutter. [clicky: noun]
clacking
Example
The train wheels were clacking on the tracks as it passed by. [clacking: verb]
Example
Her high heels were clacking loudly on the marble floor. [clacking: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Clicky is a less common word compared to clacking. It is more specific and often used in technical or specialized contexts, such as describing the sound of keyboards or switches. Clacking, on the other hand, is a more versatile word that can be used in various everyday situations to describe different types of loud and repetitive sounds.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between clicky and clacking?
Both clicky and clacking have an informal tone. However, clicky may be perceived as slightly more technical or specialized due to its association with mechanical or electronic devices, while clacking is more commonly used in casual conversations or descriptions of everyday sounds.
