jingle

American  

[jing-guhl] / ˈdʒɪŋ gəl /

verb (used without object)

jingles, present (3rd person singular) jingled, past participle, past jingling present participle

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.

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verb (used with object)

jingles, present (3rd person singular) jingled, past participle, past jingling present participle

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 British  

/ 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

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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

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• jinglingly
  adverb
• jingly
  adjective
• jingler
  noun

Conjugated Forms

Present

• has jingled
  perfect 3rd person singular
• have jingled
  perfect
• have been jingling
  perfect progressive
• has been jingling
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• is jingling
  progressive 3rd person singular
• am jingling
  progressive 1st person singular
• are jingling
  progressive
• jingles
  singular 3rd person
• jingling
  participle

Past

• had jingled
  perfect
• had been jingling
  perfect progressive
• were jingling
  progressive plural
• was jingling
  progressive singular
• jingled
  participle
• jingled
  simple

Future

• will jingle
  simple
• will have jingled
  perfect
• will have been jingling
  perfect progressive
• will be jingling
  progressive

Etymology

Origin of jingle

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

Explanation

To jingle is to make a sound like pieces of metal jangling together, like those bells people sing about at Christmas. A jingle is also a funny little poem or song. Have you ever heard a dog's metal tags banging together? That sound is called a jingle. A jingle is a metallic sound — a cowboy's spurs and a set of keys being shaken both jingle. If you drop a bunch of change on the ground, it will jingle. A jingle is also a bit of comic poetry, like a little song. Jingles are often made as advertisements because they tend to be catchy.

Example Sentences

A California judge ruled that the infamous Kars4Kids jingle misleads donors.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2026

The jingle first aired in the 1990s and has been loved and loathed by listeners ever since.

From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2026

Last year, Domino’s initiated its first rebrand in more than a decade, revamping some of its pizza boxes and introducing a new jingle.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 23, 2026

The single opens with the sound of jingle bells being briskly rung.

From Salon • Dec. 23, 2025

We heard the jingle of harness outside, and voices.

From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck

Related Words

• clang
• clatter
• clink