Etymology Of onomatopoeic origin. Compare Saterland Frisian klatskje (“to smack, slap”), West Frisian kletse, kletskje, Dutch kletsen (“to smack, slap, clash”), German Low German klattsen, klatsken (“to smack, splash”), German klatschen (“to clap, smack, slap”) and Klatsch (“a clapping sound; the din resulting from two or more things colliding”), Danish klaske (“to clash, splatter”).
Onomatopoeic A loud sound, like the crashing together of metal objects; a crash.
I heard a clash from the kitchen, and rushed in to find the cat had knocked over some pots and pans.
Alone amid clashes of rain against the house.2025 January 28, Patricia McLinn, Lattimore Mountain (The Sheila Mackey Collection, Book 1), Craig Place Books, →ISBN:
2
A skirmish, a hostile encounter.
In Anatolia tensions between state officials (ehl-i örf) and the peasants were strained to breaking point. At several places—particularly in the frontier provinces—there were fierce clashes between the janissaries stationed there and the governors. In Aleppo and Damascus incidents were common after 1589: the kuls threw rocks at the beylerbeyi’s house, killed people, broke into the divan several times and took the money prepared by the council for remittance to the centre.2018, Pál Fodor, The Business of State. Ottoman Finance Administration and Ruling Elites in Transition (1580s–1615) (Studien zur Sprache, Geschichte und Kultur der Turkvölker; 28), Berlin: Klaus Schwarz Verlag × De Gruyter, published 2020, →DOI, →ISBN, page 50:
Protesters took to the streets and stormed federal buildings. At least 77 people died in violent clashes between protesters and police and then-Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli was forced to resign.2026 March 11, Chad de Guzman, “Who Is Balendra Shah, the Rapper On Track to Become Nepal’s Next Prime Minister”, in TIME, archived from the original on 11 Mar 2026:
3
Hobbies, Lifestyle, Sports match; a game between two sides.
But they ran out of time and inspiration as Les Bleus set up a deserved semi-final clash with Wales.2011, Tom Fordyce, Rugby World Cup 2011: England 12-19 France:
4
An angry argument.
5
Opposition; contradiction; such as between differing or contending interests, views, purposes etc.
clash of beliefs
culture clash
6
A combination of garments that do not look good together, especially because of conflicting colours.
She was wearing a horrible clash of red and orange.
7
An instance of restarting the game after a "dead ball", where it is dropped between two opposing players, who can fight for possession.
clay soils ploughed in Autumn must often meet with heavy clashes of rain before frost: therefore , those salutary effects, expected to be derived from a frosty Winter, must often be frustrated, by the land being too much condensed by the rains before the frost comes on.1802, The Farmer's Magazine: A Periodical Work, Exclusively Devoted to Agriculture, and Rural Affairs ..., page 172:
T' taties offer't ta be a grand crop et forend, bet then seea mitch clash an caald wes again em, an thaev tean up varra smo, […]1887, Thomas Clarke, Specimens of the dialects of Westmorland, by T. Clarke, page 39:
Etymology Of onomatopoeic origin. Compare Saterland Frisian klatskje (“to smack, slap”), West Frisian kletse, kletskje, Dutch kletsen (“to smack, slap, clash”), German Low German klattsen, klatsken (“to smack, splash”), German klatschen (“to clap, smack, slap”) and Klatsch (“a clapping sound; the din resulting from two or more things colliding”), Danish klaske (“to clash, splatter”).
Thorfinn clashed his shield against Vallon's and swung his axe to hook Vallon's ankle.2012, Robert Lyndon, Hawk Quest:
3
To come into violent conflict.
Fans from opposing teams clashed on the streets after the game.
4
To argue angrily.
My parents often clashed about minor things, such as the cleaning or shopping rota.
5
In games or sports To face each other in an important game.
The veteran American legend claims he and Welsh two-weight world champion Calzaghe will clash on 20 September, probably at The MGM Grand in Las Vegas.2008 June 27, “Jones confirms Calzaghe showdown”, in BBC Sport:
6
Of clothes To fail to look good together; to contrast unattractively; to fail to harmonize.
Decor; colours; decor; colours
You can't wear that shirt! It clashes with your trousers.
The hotel room was ugly, and the wallpaper clashed with the carpet.
7
Of events To coincide, to happen at the same time, thereby rendering it impossible to attend all.
I can't come to your wedding because it clashes with a friend's funeral.
I wanted to take German, but it clashed with art on the timetable.