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clannish

clan·nish
C c

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [klan-ish]
    • /ˈklæn ɪʃ/
    • /ˈklæn.ɪʃ/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [klan-ish]
    • /ˈklæn ɪʃ/

Definitions of clannish word

  • adjective clannish If you describe a group of people as clannish, you mean that they often spend time together and may seem unfriendly to other people who are not in the group. 3
  • adjective clannish of or characteristic of a clan 3
  • adjective clannish tending to associate closely within a limited group to the exclusion of outsiders; cliquish 3
  • adjective clannish of a clan 3
  • adjective clannish tending to associate closely with one's own group and to avoid others 3
  • adjective clannish of, relating to, or characteristic of a clan. 1

Information block about the term

Origin of clannish

First appearance:

before 1770
One of the 46% newest English words
First recorded in 1770-80; clan + -ish1

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Clannish

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

clannish popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 71% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
According to our data about 64% of words is more used. This is a rare but used term. It occurs in the pages of specialized literature and in the speech of educated people.

clannish usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for clannish

adj clannish

  • akin — If one thing is akin to another, it is similar to it in some way.
  • alike — If two or more things are alike, they are similar in some way.
  • close — When you close something such as a door or lid or when it closes, it moves so that a hole, gap, or opening is covered.
  • insular — of or relating to an island or islands: insular possessions.
  • like — in like manner with; similarly to; in the manner characteristic of: He works like a beaver.

adjective clannish

  • cliquey — If you describe a group of people or their behaviour as cliquey, you mean they spend their time only with other members of the group and seem unfriendly towards people who are not in the group.
  • aloof — Someone who is aloof is not very friendly and does not like to spend time with other people.
  • non-exclusion — an act or instance of excluding.
  • parochial — of, relating to, or financially supported by one or more church parishes: parochial churches in Great Britain.
  • unsociable — not sociable; having, showing, or marked by a disinclination to friendly social relations; withdrawn.

Antonyms for clannish

adj clannish

  • friendly — characteristic of or befitting a friend; showing friendship: a friendly greeting.
  • welcoming — a kindly greeting or reception, as to one whose arrival gives pleasure: to give someone a warm welcome.
  • open — not closed or barred at the time, as a doorway by a door, a window by a sash, or a gateway by a gate: to leave the windows open at night.

Top questions with clannish

  • what is clannish?

See also

Matching words

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