Ticktock: meaning, definitions and examples

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ticktock

 

[ หˆtษชk.tษ’k ]

Noun / Verb
Context #1 | Noun

sound of clock

Tick-tock refers to the sound that a clock makes as it counts time. The term is often used to signify the passage of time or urgency in various contexts, particularly in storytelling or when emphasizing deadlines.

Synonyms

chiming, clanging, ticking.

Examples of usage

  • I could hear the tick-tock of the clock in the silence.
  • As the deadline approached, the tick-tock became more pronounced.
  • The old clock in the hallway tick-tocked steadily through the night.
Context #2 | Verb

passing time

To tick-tock means to produce the sound characteristic of a clock or to signify time passing. This usage is often metaphorical, suggesting that time is running out or that one should act quickly.

Synonyms

count down, pass time, tick.

Examples of usage

  • Time was tick-tocking away as they prepared for the exam.
  • She could hear the time tick-tocking in her mind, urging her to finish.
  • The minutes were tick-tocking towards midnight.

Translations

Translations of the word "ticktock" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น tic-tac

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคŸเคฟเค•-เคŸเฅ‰เค•

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช ticktock

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ detik-detik

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ั‚ะธะบ-ั‚ะฐะบ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ tik-tak

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใƒ†ใ‚ฃใƒƒใ‚ฏใƒˆใƒƒใ‚ฏ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท tic-tac

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ tic tac

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท tik tak

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ํ‹ฑํ†ก

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุชูŠูƒ ุชูˆูƒ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ tik-tak

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ tik-tak

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆปด็ญ” (dฤซ dฤ)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ tik-tak

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ tik-tak

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ั‚ะธะบั‚ะฐะบ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒขแƒ˜แƒ™-แƒขแƒแƒ™แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ tik-tok

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ tic-tac

Etymology

The term 'tick-tock' is an onomatopoeic expression that imitates the sound of a ticking clock. Its origins can be traced back to early analog clocks and watches, where the ticking noise was a noticeable feature. The word 'tick' itself comes from the Old English โ€˜ticcan,โ€™ which means to beat or strike. The 'tock' part likely developed as a counterpart sound that represents the opposing action, creating a rhythmic pattern that mimics the operation of a clock. The popularity of 'tick-tock' has grown, particularly in literature and pop culture, where it is often associated with time constraints and the urgency of action. In recent times, the term has gained additional meaning with the rise of the social media platform TikTok, representing both time and the fleeting nature of trends.