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

When the news came out that Jackie director Pablo Larraín had cast her as Princess Diana, it sounded as if genius had struck with the perfectly tuned tinkle of a sterling dinner bell.

From Time

The third line runs thus: “How they tinkle, tinkle, tinkle in the icy air of night.”

From Project Gutenberg

We observe that as “time” is here repeated three times, so “tinkle” was repeated three times in the third line.

From Project Gutenberg

The blind came down with a rush, there was a little tinkle of glass, and the general staggered back with his hand to his shoulder.

From Project Gutenberg

Tinkle, tinkle went the bells The reindeer lifted their hoofs higher and pawed at the comforter.

From Project Gutenberg

The brook was whispering secret things, and the drip from the trees made a soft tinkle, just detectable, on its pools.

From Project Gutenberg