tsk

interjection

 a dental click  ;
often read as
ˈtisk How to pronounce tsk (audio)
Synonyms of tsknext
—used to express disapproval

Word History

First Known Use

1937, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tsk was in 1937

Phrases Containing tsk

Browse Nearby Words

tsitsith
tsk
Tskhinvali
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tsk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tsk. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Kids Definition

tsk

interjection
a t-​sound made by suction rather than explosion; often read as
ˈtisk How to pronounce tsk (audio)
—used to express disapproval

More from Merriam-Webster on tsk

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for tsk

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

'When Pigs Fly' and Other Barnyard Idioms

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things
See More

Popular

See More

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

'When Pigs Fly' and Other Barnyard Idioms
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
kestrel
Name That Bird Quiz Are you as wise as an owl or just another birdbrain?
See All