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

The hangers in the closets clashed and tinkled.

From Literature

She released her favorite laugh—one with a high pitch like a tinkling bell—and pointed to the shop's sign.

From Literature

It’s quiet save for the homey sounds of rustling, the metallic tinkling of what seems like silverware and some faintly babbling voices, perhaps from a radio or TV.

From New York Times

Heavy gold jewelry encircled her neck and wrists and dangled from her nose and earlobes, so that every movement created a tinkling rustle of metal against metal.

From New York Times

But what if those bells are right outside your bedroom window day and night, and rather than tinkle gently, clang loudly around the necks of 20 or 30 cows?

From BBC