tinkle

[ ting-kuhl ]

verb (used without object)

, tin·kled, tin·kling.

1. to give forth or make a succession of short, light, ringing sounds, as a small bell.
2. to run one's fingers lightly over a keyboard instrument or to play such an instrument simply or badly.
3. Baby Talk. to urinate.

verb (used with object)

, tin·kled, tin·kling.

1. to cause to tinkle or jingle:

   The goat tinkled its bell every time it raised its head. Who's tinkling the piano?

2. to make known, call attention to, attract, or summon by tinkling.

noun

1. a tinkling sound or tune.
2. an act or instance of tinkling.
3. Informal. a telephone call:

   Give me a tinkle before you leave for Europe.

tinkle

/ ˈtɪŋkəl /

verb

1. to ring or cause to ring with a series of high tinny sounds, like a small bell
2. tr to announce or summon by such a ringing
3. informal.
   intr to urinate

noun

1. a high clear ringing sound
2. the act of tinkling
3. informal.
   a telephone call

Derived Forms

• ˈtinkling, adjectivenoun
• ˈtinkly, adjective

Other Words From

• outtinkle verb (used with object) outtinkled outtinkling

Word History and Origins

Origin of tinkle¹

1350–1400; Middle English tynclen, frequentative of tinken to clink; imitative

Word History and Origins

Origin of tinkle¹

C14: of imitative origin

Example Sentences

Stanford’s Jerod Haase, Arizona State’s Bobby Hurley and Oregon State’s Wayne Tinkle are believed to be on the hot seat, and Oregon’s Dana Altman recently shutdown retirement rumors.

From Seattle Times

Wayne Tinkle cannot haul Oregon State out of the cellar.

From Seattle Times

Is it time for the Wayne Tinkle show to end at Oregon State?

From Seattle Times

I’ve been supportive of Tinkle, but even I can see that the game plans just aren’t working.

From Seattle Times

Tinkle was on the verge of getting fired when the Beavers unleashed a magical three-week run in March 2021 that earned him a massive extension and raise.

From Seattle Times