jangle
Americanverb (used without object)
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to produce a harsh, discordant sound, as two comparatively small, thin, or hollow pieces of metal hitting together.
The charms on her bracelet jangle as she moves.
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to speak angrily; wrangle.
verb (used with object)
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to cause to make a harsh, discordant, usually metallic sound.
He jangled the pots and pans.
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to cause to become irritated or upset.
The loud noise of the motors jangled his nerves.
noun
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a harsh or discordant sound.
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an argument, dispute, or quarrel.
verb
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to sound or cause to sound discordantly, harshly, or unpleasantly
the telephone jangled
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(tr) to produce a jarring effect on
the accident jangled his nerves
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an archaic word for wrangle
noun
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a harsh, unpleasant ringing noise
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an argument or quarrel
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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janglesimple
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janglessimple
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have jangledperfect
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has jangledperfect
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am janglingprogressive
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are janglingprogressive
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is janglingprogressive
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have been janglingperfect progressive
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has been janglingperfect progressive
Past
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jangledsimple
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had jangledperfect
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was janglingprogressive
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were janglingprogressive
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had been janglingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of jangle
1250–1300; Middle English janglen < Old French jangler < Germanic; compare Middle Dutch jangelen to haggle, whine
Explanation
To jangle is to make a metallic sound like a bell, a bunch of keys, or spurs on cowboy boots. Little kids waiting for Santa Claus might wake up abruptly, thinking they've heard his sleigh bells jangle on the roof. A jangle is similar to a jingle, a ringing, bell-like noise, but it's typically a bit harsher or more discordant. You might contrast the delicate jingle of silver bracelets with the jangle of an enormous ring of keys. The word can also be used figuratively: something that makes you feel uneasy or upset jangles your nerves. An earlier definition of jangle was "talk excessively, chatter" or "slanderous conversation, gossip." The "harsh sound" meaning first arose in the 15th century.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Nominated for outstanding motion picture are “Bad Boys for Life,” “Da 5 Bloods,” “Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey,” “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” and “One Night in Miami.”
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2021
But productions like this, along with others such as the John Legend-produced “Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey,” signals a promising shift.
From Seattle Times • Dec. 2, 2020
But productions like this, along with others such as the John Legend-produced “Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey,” signals a promising shift.
From Washington Times • Dec. 2, 2020
David E. Talbert, the writer-director responsible for the recent, joyous Netflix holiday movie “Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey,” cut his Christmas sweet tooth with this comedy-drama for grown-ups.
From New York Times • Nov. 30, 2020
Distant and near and low and loud the bells, Dominican, Benedictine, and Franciscan, Jangle and wrangle in their airy towers, Discordant as the brotherhoods themselves In their dim cloisters.
From The Complete Poems of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow by Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
