jingle

[ jing-guhl ]

verb (used without object)

, jin·gled, jin·gling.

1. to make clinking or tinkling sounds, as do coins, keys, or other light, resonant metal objects when coming into contact or being struck together repeatedly:

   The keys on his belt jingled as he walked.

2. to move or proceed with such sounds:

   The sleigh, decorated with bells, jingled along the snowy road.

3. to sound in a light, repetitious manner suggestive of this, as verse, a sequence of words, or piece of music.
4. to make rhymes.

verb (used with object)

, jin·gled, jin·gling.

1. to cause to jingle:

   He jingled the coins in his pocket.

noun

1. a tinkling or clinking sound, as of small bells or of small pieces of resonant metal repeatedly struck one against another.
2. something that makes such a sound, as a small bell or a metal pendant.
3. a catchy succession of like or repetitious sounds, as in music or verse.
4. a piece of verse or a short song having such a catchy succession of sounds, usually of a light or humorous character:

   an advertising jingle.

5. Irish English and Australian. a loosely sprung, two-wheeled, roofed carriage, usually used as a hackney coach.

jingle

/ ˈdʒɪŋɡəl /

verb

1. to ring or cause to ring lightly and repeatedly
2. intr to sound in a manner suggestive of jingling

   a jingling verse

noun

1. a sound of metal jingling

   the jingle of the keys

2. a catchy and rhythmic verse, song, etc, esp one used in advertising

Derived Forms

• ˈjingly, adjective
• ˈjingler, noun

Other Words From

• jingler noun
• jingling·ly adverb
• jingly adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of jingle¹

1350–1400; Middle English gynglen, apparently imitative; compare Dutch jengelen; -le

Word History and Origins

Origin of jingle¹

C16: probably of imitative origin; compare Dutch jengelen

Example Sentences

Wu-Tang Clan founder RZA partners with ice cream maker Good Humor to create a new ice cream truck jingle as an alternative to ‘Turkey in the Straw.’

From Los Angeles Times

In the hours before the final, Pan Wenge’s silver headdress jingles and jangles as she speaks enthusiastically, preparing to cheer on Dongmen village.

From BBC

Instead, he hit up a regional chain whose longtime jingle is a banjo riff set to the straightforward motto of, “Save big money at Menards.”

From Salon

Mail carrier Michael Bereal Jr. explained to his colleagues that they should jingle their keys or rattle a fence to let a dog know that they are in the vicinity.

From Los Angeles Times

I had to go through a labyrinth of bolted doors to get to this kitchen - in the corners of the room, officers with jingling keys are looking on.

From BBC

Related Words

• clang
• clatter
• clink