Ask Difference

Click vs. Press — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 13, 2023
Click usually refers to a brief, sharp sound or a light touch, often related to computer mice. Press implies a firm, sustained push or force.
Click vs. Press — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Click and Press

ADVERTISEMENT

Key Differences

Click and Press are two words in the English language that are often used interchangeably, yet they have distinct nuances. A click, in many contexts, refers to the sound made when two things come into quick contact, such as the sound of a computer mouse button being activated. On the other hand, press often pertains to the act of applying pressure, pushing down, or compressing something.
In the realm of technology, especially computing, to click often means to lightly tap a button, usually the mouse button, to perform a certain action. It's a quick action, signified by the audible "click" sound that most mice make. Press, in this context, might be related to pressing down on a key on a keyboard, indicating a more deliberate, sustained action.
Click and Press also carry different emotional and cultural connotations. When someone says, "It clicked with me," they're indicating a sudden realization or understanding. In contrast, "pressing matters" or "pressing someone for information" carries the weight of urgency, persistence, or force.
In physical interactions, if someone were to click a pen, they'd be causing the pen's button to make a clicking sound by pushing it quickly. On the other hand, if they were to press their hand against a window, they'd be applying a continuous force or pressure against it.
Lastly, in professional and academic settings, one might click a presentation remote to advance slides—a rapid action. However, pressing would be more akin to pressing a seal onto a document, leaving a sustained mark or impression.
ADVERTISEMENT

Comparison Chart

Nature of Action

Brief, rapid touch or interaction.
Sustained, forceful push or compression.

Associated Sound

Sharp, light sound (like a mouse click).
Might not produce a distinct sound.

Context in Tech

Relates to mouse buttons, quick taps.
Refers to keyboard keys, longer holds.

Emotional Connote

Sudden realization (It clicked).
Urgency or persistence (Pressing matters).

Physical Example

Clicking a pen.
Pressing a hand against a window.

Compare with Definitions

Click

A short, sharp sound.
The door latch made a click when it locked.

Press

A machine that shapes or compresses materials.
The press molded the metal into sheets.

Click

To become friendly or harmonious.
We clicked immediately and became best friends.

Press

The print media, including newspapers and magazines.
The scandal was all over the press.

Click

A short, sharp sound as of a switch being operated or of two hard objects coming smartly into contact
She heard the click of the door

Press

A crowd or crowd's forceful movement.
There was a press of people at the concert's entrance.

Click

Make or cause to make a short, sharp sound as of a switch being operated or of two hard objects coming smartly into contact
Martha clicked her tongue
She clicked off the light
The key clicked in the lock and the door opened

Press

To exert steady weight or force against
An indentation where the rock pressed the ground.

Click

Become suddenly clear or understandable
I wasn't used to such good treatment, then it clicked: we were wearing suits

Press

To move by applying pressure
Press a piano key.
Press one's face into a pillow.

Click

A brief, sharp sound
The click of a door latch.

Press

To squeeze or clasp in fondness or concern
Pressed her hand before leaving.

Click

A mechanical device, such as a pawl, that snaps into position.

Press

To squeeze the juice or other contents from
Press lemons.

Click

An instance of pressing down and releasing a button on a mouse or other input device.

Press

To extract (juice, for example) by squeezing or compressing.

Click

An instance of selecting an item in a website or app by clicking or tapping on a mouse, touchscreen, or other input device.

Press

To reshape or make compact by applying steady force; compress
Pressed the clay in a mold.

Click

(Linguistics) Any of various implosive stops, such as that of English tsk, produced by raising the back of the tongue to make contact with the palate and simultaneously closing the lips or touching the teeth or alveolar ridge with the tip and sides of the tongue, and found as phonemic consonants especially in the languages of the Khoikhoi and the San, and in some Bantu languages. Also called suction stop. See Usage Note at !Kung.

Press

To iron (clothing, for example).

Click

To produce a click or series of clicks.

Press

To make (a sound recording), originally by pressing (a vinyl phonograph record) under pressure in a mold.

Click

To press and release a button on a mouse or other input device.

Press

To bear down on or attack
The army pressed the rebels for months.

Click

To select an item in a webpage or app by clicking or tapping a mouse, touchscreen, or other input device.

Press

To carry on or advance vigorously (an attack, for instance).

Click

To have good social or working relations; hit it off
The director and producer clicked at the very start of the play.

Press

To place in trying or distressing circumstances
Are you pressed for money?.

Click

To become clear; fall into place
The answer finally clicked, and I finished the crossword.

Press

To insist upon or put forward insistently
Press a claim.
Press an argument.

Click

To be a great success
The play clicked on Broadway.

Press

To try to influence or persuade, as by insistent arguments; pressure or entreat
He pressed her for a reply.

Click

To cause to click, as by striking together
Clicked his heels.

Press

To insist that someone accept (something). Often used with on or upon
Was given to pressing peculiar gifts upon his nieces.

Click

To press down and release (a button on an input device)
Clicked the left button on the mouse.

Press

(Sports) To lift (a weight) to a position above the head without moving the legs.

Click

To press down and release a button on (an input device)
Clicked the mouse.

Press

To exert force or pressure
Felt the backpack pressing on her shoulders.

Click

To select (an item in a webpage or app) by clicking or tapping a mouse, touchscreen, or other input device
To open the file, click the icon.

Press

To be worrisome or depressing; weigh heavily
Guilt pressed upon his conscience.

Click

A brief, sharp, not particularly loud, relatively high-pitched sound produced by the impact of something small and hard against something hard, such as by the operation of a switch, a lock, or a latch.
As I turned the key, the lock gave a click and the door opened.

Press

To advance eagerly; move forward urgently
We pressed through the crowd to get to the bus.

Click

(British) The act of making a clicking sound by pressing a finger against the thumb and then releasing to strike the palm; a snap.

Press

To assemble closely and in large numbers; crowd
Fans pressed around the movie star.

Click

(phonetics) An ingressive sound made by coarticulating a velar or uvular closure with another closure.
Tsk is a click in English.

Press

To continue a course of action, especially in spite of difficulties
Decided to press ahead with the performance even with a sore throat.

Click

Sound made by a dolphin.

Press

To require haste or urgent action
Matters that have not stopped pressing.

Click

The act of operating a switch, etc., so that it clicks.

Press

To employ urgent persuasion or entreaty
The supervisor has been pressing to get us to finish the project sooner.

Click

(GUI) The act of pressing a button on a computer mouse or similar input device, both as a physical act and a reaction in the software.

Press

To iron clothes or other material.

Click

(by extension) A single instance of content on the Internet being accessed.

Press

(Sports) To raise or lift a weight in a press.

Click

A pawl or similar catch.

Press

(Basketball) To employ a press.

Click

A knock or blow.

Press

(Sports) In golf, to try to hit long or risky shots, typically with unsuccessful results.

Click

A limb contortion at the joint, part of vogue dancing.

Press

To force into service in the army or navy; impress.

Click

A detent, pawl, or ratchet, such as that which catches the cogs of a ratchet wheel to prevent backward motion.

Press

To take arbitrarily or by force, especially for public use.

Click

The latch of a door.

Press

To use in a manner different from the usual or intended, especially in an emergency.

Click

(transitive) To cause to make a click; to operate (a switch, etc) so that it makes a click.

Press

Any of various machines or devices that apply pressure
A cider press.

Click

(intransitive) To emit a click.

Press

A printing press.

Click

(British) To snap the fingers.

Press

A place or establishment where matter is printed
Sent the book's files to the press.

Click

(computing) To press and release (a button on a computer mouse).

Press

A publishing company
Which press has acquired that manuscript?.

Click

To select a software item using, usually, but not always, the pressing of a mouse button.

Press

The communications media considered as a whole, especially the agencies that collect, publish, transmit, or broadcast news and other information to the public
Freedom of the press.
Got a job writing for the press.

Click

To visit (a web site).
Visit a location, call, or click www.example.com.

Press

News or other information disseminated to the public in printed, broadcast, or electronic form
Kept the scandal out of the press.

Click

To navigate by clicking a mouse button.
I soon grew bored and clicked away from the site.
From the home page, click through to the Products section.

Press

The people involved in the media, as news reporters and broadcasters
Took questions from the press after her speech.

Click

(intransitive) To make sense suddenly.
Then it clicked—I had been going the wrong way all that time.

Press

The kind or extent of coverage a person or event receives in the media
"Like the pool hall and the tattoo parlor, the motorcycle usually gets a bad press" (R.Z. Sheppard).

Click

(intransitive) To get along well.
When we met at the party, we just clicked and we’ve been best friends ever since.

Press

A large gathering; a crowd
Lost our friend in the press of people.

Click

To tick.

Press

The act of gathering in large numbers or of pushing forward
The press of the crowd broke the gates.

Click

To take (a photograph) with a camera.

Press

An act of pressing down or applying pressure
With the press of a button.

Click

To achieve success in one's career or a breakthrough, often the first time.

Press

The haste or urgency of business or matters
The press of the day's events.

Click

Of a film, to be successful at the box office.

Press

The set of proper creases in a garment or fabric, formed by ironing.

Click

(obsolete) To snatch.

Press

Chiefly Scots and Irish An upright closet or case used for storing clothing, books, or other articles.

Click

(US) clique

Press

(Sports) A lift in weightlifting in which the weight is raised to shoulder level and then steadily pushed straight overhead without movement of the legs.

Click

The sound of a click.
Click! The door opened.

Press

(Basketball) An aggressive defense tactic in which players guard opponents closely, often over the entire court.

Click

To make a slight, sharp noise (or a succession of such noises), as by gentle striking; to tick.
The varnished clock that clicked behind the door.

Press

Conscription or impressment into service, especially into the army or navy.

Click

To move with the sound of a click.
She clicked back the bolt which held the window sash.

Press

(Obsolete) An official warrant for impressing men into military service.

Click

To cause to make a clicking noise, as by striking together, or against something.
[Jove] clicked all his marble thumbs.
When merry milkmaids click the latch.

Press

An instance of applying pressure; an instance of pressing.

Click

To snatch.

Press

(countable) A device used to apply pressure to an item.
A flower press

Click

A slight sharp noise, such as is made by the cocking of a pistol.

Press

(countable) A printing machine.
Stop the presses!

Click

A kind of articulation used by the natives of Southern Africa, consisting in a sudden withdrawal of the end or some other portion of the tongue from a part of the mouth with which it is in contact, whereby a sharp, clicking sound is produced. The sounds are four in number, and are called cerebral, palatal, dental, and lateral clicks or clucks, the latter being the noise ordinarily used in urging a horse forward.

Press

The print-based media (both the people and the newspapers).
According to a member of the press
This article appeared in the press.

Click

A detent, pawl, or ratchet, as that which catches the cogs of a ratchet wheel to prevent backward motion. See Illust. of Ratched wheel.

Press

(countable) A publisher.

Click

The latch of a door.

Press

An enclosed storage space (e.g. closet, cupboard).
Put the cups in the press.
Put the ironing in the linen press.

Click

A short light metallic sound

Press

An exercise in which weight is forced away from the body by extension of the arms or legs.

Click

Depression of a button on a computer mouse;
A click on the right button for example

Press

An additional bet in a golf match that duplicates an existing (usually losing) wager in value, but begins even at the time of the bet.
He can even the match with a press.

Click

A stop consonant made by the suction of air into the mouth (as in Bantu)

Press

(countable) Pure, unfermented grape juice.
I would like some Concord press with my meal tonight.

Click

A hinged catch that fits into a notch of a ratchet to move a wheel forward or prevent it from moving backward

Press

A commission to force men into public service, particularly into the navy.

Click

Move or strike with a noise;
He clicked on the light
His arm was snapped forward

Press

(obsolete) A crowd.

Click

Make a clicking or ticking sound;
The clock ticked away

Press

(psychology) In personology, any environmental factor that arouses a need in the individual.

Click

Click repeatedly or uncontrollably;
Chattering teeth

Press

(ambitransitive) To exert weight or force against, to act upon with force or weight; to exert pressure upon.

Click

Cause to make a snapping sound;
Snap your fingers

Press

To activate a button or key by exerting a downward or forward force on it, and then releasing it.

Click

Produce a click;
Xhosa speakers click

Press

(transitive) To compress, squeeze.
To press fruit for the purpose of extracting the juice

Click

Make a clucking sounds, characteristic of hens

Press

(transitive) To clasp, hold in an embrace.

Click

Become clear or enter one's consciousness or emotions;
It dawned on him that she had betrayed him
She was penetrated with sorrow

Press

(transitive) To reduce to a particular shape or form by pressure, especially flatten or smooth.
To press cloth with a clothes-iron
To press a hat

Click

To make a small, sharp sound.
Her heels clicked on the marble floor.

Press

To flatten a selected area of fabric using an iron with an up-and-down, not sliding, motion, so as to avoid disturbing adjacent areas.

Click

To select something by pressing a button on a mouse.
Click on the icon to open the file.

Press

(transitive) To drive or thrust by pressure, to force in a certain direction.
To press a crowd back

Click

A moment of realization or understanding.
After hours of studying, everything finally clicked for him.

Press

To weigh upon, oppress, trouble.

Press

(transitive) To force to a certain end or result; to urge strongly.

Press

To try to force (something upon someone).
To press the Bible on an audience

Press

(transitive) To hasten, urge onward.
To press a horse in a race

Press

(transitive) To urge, beseech, entreat.

Press

(transitive) To lay stress upon.

Press

(ambitransitive) To throng, crowd.

Press

To print.

Press

To force into service, particularly into naval service.

Press

An East Indian insectivore (Tupaia ferruginea). It is arboreal in its habits, and has a bushy tail. The fur is soft, and varies from rusty red to maroon and to brownish black.

Press

A commission to force men into public service, particularly into the navy.
I have misused the king's press.

Press

An apparatus or machine by which any substance or body is pressed, squeezed, stamped, or shaped, or by which an impression of a body is taken; sometimes, the place or building containing a press or presses.

Press

Specifically, a printing press.

Press

The art or business of printing and publishing; hence, printed publications, taken collectively, more especially newspapers or the persons employed in writing for them; as, a free press is a blessing, a licentious press is a curse.

Press

An upright case or closet for the safe keeping of articles; as, a clothes press.

Press

The act of pressing or thronging forward.
In their throng and press to that last hold.

Press

Urgent demands of business or affairs; urgency; as, a press of engagements.

Press

A multitude of individuals crowded together; crowd of single things; a throng.
They could not come nigh unto him for the press.

Press

To force into service, particularly into naval service; to impress.
To peaceful peasant to the wars is pressed.

Press

To urge, or act upon, with force, as weight; to act upon by pushing or thrusting, in distinction from pulling; to crowd or compel by a gradual and continued exertion; to bear upon; to squeeze; to compress; as, we press the ground with the feet when we walk; we press the couch on which we repose; we press substances with the hands, fingers, or arms; we are pressed in a crowd.
Good measure, pressed down, and shaken together.

Press

To squeeze, in order to extract the juice or contents of; to squeeze out, or express, from something.
From sweet kernels pressed,She tempers dulcet creams.
And I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand.

Press

To squeeze in or with suitable instruments or apparatus, in order to compact, make dense, or smooth; as, to press cotton bales, paper, etc.; to smooth by ironing; as, to press clothes.

Press

To embrace closely; to hug.
Leucothoe shook at these alarms,And pressed Palemon closer in her arms.

Press

To oppress; to bear hard upon.
Press not a falling man too far.

Press

To straiten; to distress; as, to be pressed with want or hunger.

Press

To exercise very powerful or irresistible influence upon or over; to constrain; to force; to compel.
Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.

Press

To try to force (something upon some one); to urge or inculcate with earnestness or importunity; to enforce; as, to press divine truth on an audience.
He pressed a letter upon me within this hour.
Be sure to press upon him every motive.

Press

To drive with violence; to hurry; to urge on; to ply hard; as, to press a horse in a race.
The posts . . . went cut, being hastened and pressed on, by the king's commandment.

Press

To exert pressure; to bear heavily; to push, crowd, or urge with steady force.

Press

To move on with urging and crowding; to make one's way with violence or effort; to bear onward forcibly; to crowd; to throng; to encroach.
They pressed upon him for to touch him.

Press

To urge with vehemence or importunity; to exert a strong or compelling influence; as, an argument presses upon the judgment.

Press

Newspaper writers and photographers

Press

The state of urgently demanding notice or attention;
The press of business matters

Press

The gathering and publishing of news in the form of newspapers or magazines

Press

A machine used for printing

Press

A dense crowd of people

Press

A tall piece of furniture that provides storage space for clothes; has a door and rails or hooks for hanging clothes

Press

Clamp to prevent wooden rackets from warping when not in use

Press

Any machine that exerts pressure to form or shape or cut materials or extract liquids or compress solids

Press

A weightlift in which the barbell is lifted to shoulder height and then smoothly lifted overhead

Press

The act of pressing; the exertion of pressure;
He gave the button a press
He used pressure to stop the bleeding
At the pressing of a button

Press

Exert pressure or force to or upon;
He pressed down on the boards
Press your thumb on this spot

Press

Force or impel in an indicated direction;
I urged him to finish his studies

Press

To be oppressive or burdensome;
Weigh heavily on the mind
Something pressed on his mind

Press

Place between two surfaces and apply weight or pressure;
Pressed flowers

Press

Squeeze or press together;
She compressed her lips
The spasm contracted the muscle

Press

Crowd closely;
The crowds pressed along the street

Press

Create by pressing;
Press little holes into the soft clay

Press

Be urgent;
This is a pressing problem

Press

Exert oneself continuously, vigorously, or obtrusively to gain an end or engage in a crusade for a certain cause or person; be an advocate for;
The liberal party pushed for reforms
She is crusading for women's rights
The Dean is pushing for his favorite candidate

Press

Press from a plastic;
Press a record

Press

Make strenuous pushing movements during birth to expel the baby;
`Now push hard,' said the doctor to the woman

Press

Lift weights;
This guy can press 300 pounds

Press

Ask for or request earnestly;
The prophet bid all people to become good persons

Press

To apply pressure to something.
Press the button to start the machine.

Press

To urge or push someone into action.
They pressed him for details about the event.

Common Curiosities

Can "click" mean understanding something suddenly?

Yes, when something "clicks," it means one suddenly understands or realizes it.

Can "press" be used in the context of the media?

Yes, "press" can refer to print media like newspapers and magazines.

Can "press" mean to iron clothes?

Yes, you can press clothes to remove wrinkles using an iron.

Can "click" be used as both a noun and a verb?

Yes, "click" can refer to the sound (noun) or the action of making that sound (verb).

Is a click always associated with computers?

No, while "click" is often related to computers, it also means a short, sharp sound or rapid touch in various contexts.

Can "click" refer to a feeling of compatibility?

Yes, when things "click," they fit or work well together.

In technology, what's the difference between a long press and a click?

A click is a brief tap, while a long press means holding the button down for an extended period.

Is there a difference between pressing a button and clicking it?

Yes, clicking usually indicates a brief, sharp action (often with a mouse), while pressing implies a more sustained push.

What does it mean when two people "click"?

It means they instantly connect or get along well.

Is the sound made by pressing always a "click"?

No, pressing doesn't always produce a click sound. It depends on the object and action.

Does pressing always require a lot of force?

Not necessarily. Pressing can be gentle or forceful depending on the context.

Do all mouse buttons click?

Most do, but some are designed to be silent or have different tactile feedback.

Is "press" always physical?

No, "press" can be used metaphorically, as in pressing someone for answers.

What's the origin of "press" in the context of media?

It traces back to the printing press, which was used to print newspapers.

What does "under pressure" mean?

It means experiencing stressful circumstances or demands.

Share Your Discovery

Share via Social Media
Embed This Content
Embed Code
Share Directly via Messenger
Link
Previous Comparison
Statistic vs. Parameter
Next Comparison
Suggest vs. Offer

Author Spotlight

Written by
Tayyaba Rehman
Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.

Popular Comparisons

Trending Comparisons

New Comparisons

Trending Terms