Etymologically
Log in

clash

Etymology and origin of the English word clash

History Permalink
Confidence
Established
Formation
Onomatopoeia
First attested
c. 1500

Pronunciation

  • IPA: /klæʃ/[1]

Etymology

It is probably of imitative origin,[2][3][4][5] or a blend of clap and crash;[3] compare Dutch kletsen, splash, and German klatschen.[3] Barnhart notes an echoic element in many English words ending in -ash, such as bash and smash.[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

To make a loud, sharp sound, verb: about 1500;[2][3] the noun, the loud sound of collision, 1513.[2][6][7]

Semantic evolution

The noise of clashing weapons is from 1623.[6] The figurative verb, to come into conflict, is first recorded in 1622, in Bacon,[2][3] and the noun, a hostile encounter, in 1646.[2][6] A conflict of opinions is from 1781, in Cowper.[2][6] Of colours that go badly together, the verb is by 1867[3] and the noun from 1935.[6] Of events that fall at the same time, clash is a later use.[8]

Timeline

  • c. 1500 – to make a loud noise.[2]
  • 1513 – a clash (noun).[2]
  • 1622 – to come into conflict.[2]
  • 1646 – a hostile encounter.[2]
  • 1781 – a conflict of opinions.[2]
  • 1867 – of colours.[3]

Modern meaning

Noun

  1. A loud, harsh, usually metallic noise.
  2. A fight or hostile encounter.
  3. A conflict of ideas, opinions or interests.

Verb

  1. To strike together with a loud, harsh noise.
  2. To come into conflict; to be at odds.
  3. Of colours, to look bad together.
  4. Of events, to happen at the same time.

Word family

  • clasher
  • clashingly
  • interclash

References

  1. ^ Jones, Daniel (2011), Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary, 18th ed., ed. Peter Roach, Jane Setter and John Esling, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Barnhart, Robert K. (1988), The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ Hoad, T. F., ed. (1986), The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  5. ^ Pearsall, Judy, ed. (1998), The New Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  6. ^ a b c d e Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
  7. ^ Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  8. ^ Collins English Dictionary (2023), Glasgow: HarperCollins
Cite this entry

“Clash.” Etymologically, 17 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/en/clash. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·