What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
clinking
Example
The glasses were clinking as the guests toasted to the newlyweds. [clinking: verb]
Example
I could hear the clinking of coins in his pocket as he walked. [clinking: gerund or present participle]
chinking
Example
I could hear the chinking of pebbles as we walked along the gravel path. [chinking: gerund or present participle]
Example
The old wooden house had gaps in the walls, allowing the wind to chink through. [chinking: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Clinking is more commonly used than chinking in everyday language. Clinking is often used in social contexts, such as parties or gatherings, while chinking is less common and more specific to describing the sound of small objects hitting against each other.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between clinking and chinking?
Both clinking and chinking are informal words and can be used in casual conversations or informal writing.
