tingle

American  

[ting-guhl] / ˈtɪŋ gəl /

verb (used without object)

tingles, present (3rd person singular) tingled, past participle, past tingling present participle

1. to have a sensation of slight prickles, stings, or tremors, as from cold, a sharp blow, excitement, etc..

   I tingle all over.

2. to cause such a sensation.

   The scratch tingles.

---

noun

tingles plural

1. a tingling sensation.

2. the tingling action of cold, a blow, excitement, etc.

   Synonyms:

   flutter, thrill

tingle British  

/ ˈtɪŋɡəl /

verb

1. (usually intr) to feel or cause to feel a prickling, itching, or stinging sensation of the flesh, as from a cold plunge or electric shock

---

noun

1. a sensation of tingling

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• tingler
  noun
• tingling
  adjective
• tingly
  adjective
• tinglingly
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• tingles
  plural

Participles

• tingling
  present
• tingled
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• tingle
  simple
• tingles
  simple
• have tingled
  perfect
• has tingled
  perfect
• am tingling
  progressive
• are tingling
  progressive
• is tingling
  progressive
• have been tingling
  perfect progressive
• has been tingling
  perfect progressive

Past

• tingled
  simple
• had tingled
  perfect
• was tingling
  progressive
• were tingling
  progressive
• had been tingling
  perfect progressive

Future

• will tingle
  simple
• will have tingled
  perfect
• will be tingling
  progressive
• will have been tingling
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of tingle

1350–1400; Middle English tinglen (v.), variant of tinkle

Explanation

When something tingles, it prickles or stings a tiny bit. Walking through a haunted house might make your skin tingle with fear. A cool breeze makes your skin tingle, and a pep rally might leave you tingling with excitement. Tingle can also call be used as a noun: a tingle is similar to a shiver or a shudder, a light sensation that may have an emotional or physical cause. An earlier meaning of tingle was "a ringing sensation or sound."

Example Sentences

“You’re working three very different kinds of basketball,” said Jacob Tingle, director of sport management at Trinity University who has conducted research on officiating networks and pathways.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 3, 2025

Frost won Down Royal's Champion Chase with Frodon and the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown on Greanateen during the 2021-22 season, which finishes on Saturday.

From BBC • Apr. 19, 2022

Long spoke in a wide-ranging interview about recovery efforts, along with Casey Tingle, the deputy director of Louisiana’s homeland security office.

From Washington Times • Mar. 6, 2021

The fitness option is compatible with most major trackers, users can receive a free Fitbit, and the policy has been very popular since it debuted in 2015, says Tingle.

From The Verge • Sep. 26, 2018

She explains that she teaches trombone, Ms. Min flute, Mr. Tingle trumpet, and Mrs. Spitz directs the choir.

From "Muffled" by Jennifer Gennari