jangle
Americanverb (used without object)
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jangles,
present (3rd person singular)
-
jangled,
past participle, past
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jangling
present participle
-
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.
-
to speak angrily; wrangle.
verb (used with object)
-
jangles,
present (3rd person singular)
-
jangled,
past participle, past
-
jangling
present participle
-
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
-
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
-
an archaic word for wrangle
noun
-
a harsh, unpleasant ringing noise
-
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
-
am janglingprogressive
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are janglingprogressive
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is janglingprogressive
-
have been janglingperfect progressive
-
has been janglingperfect progressive
Past
-
jangledsimple
-
had jangledperfect
-
was janglingprogressive
-
were janglingprogressive
-
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.
See Examples For:
The “soothing” sound in this video, apparently, is the jangle of chains.
From Salon ● Feb. 25, 2025
No, there is no séance with the supernatural nor summoning of spirits, just a jangle of regrets.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 23, 2023
There's credit in the bank and time on their side, but Clarke and his team will want their fate sealed as soon as possible before the nerves start to jangle.
From BBC ● Oct. 11, 2023
Its improbable-seeming transitions — from post-punk jangle to boy-band crooning to hip-hop drum loops — are the source of the track’s infectious vitality.
From New York Times ● Dec. 21, 2022
At a jangle of coins, I turn to see another creature with me.
From "Challenger Deep" by Neal Shusterman
In the hours before the final, Pan Wenge’s silver headdress jingles and jangles as she speaks enthusiastically, preparing to cheer on Dongmen village.
From BBC ● Sep. 12, 2024
She used that period to build the homespun rhythms that created the album’s unique nervous system: the percussive instrumentation includes “collar jangles and thrashing”, “lighter on Wurlitzer” and “water tower”.
From The Guardian ● Dec. 18, 2020
As Dionysus’s nonbinary energy jangles the wiring of the staid suburbanites, releasing something wild in them, it also unleashes something wild in the play.
From New York Times ● Feb. 25, 2019
I’ve never listened to heavy rock or stuff that jangles my nerves, because I’m already jangled.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 27, 2017
He has thick blond hair that stands up almost in knots, wears old suit pants for comfort, and jangles his keys in his pockets with his hands.
From "I Am the Messenger" by Markus Zusak
The Aviva jangled with nerves at the interval.
From BBC ● Feb. 1, 2025
He jangled the prop handcuffs he was already wearing.
From Slate ● Jun. 14, 2023
One of her talents is rock band drummer and she uses her drumsticks to pound out her jangled feelings.
From Seattle Times ● Jun. 1, 2023
But if the headlines stemming from the annual report of the Social Security trustees jangled you, take a deep breath.
From Reuters ● Apr. 4, 2023
He picked up his baseball cap, which jangled with coins.
From "Blood of Olympus" by Rick Riordan
Trump used a fat black marker pen to sign the deal, with the crockery jangling on the table after the dinner or lobster and caviar, as he put pen to paper.
From Barron's ● Jun. 19, 2026
He’s also the guy whose banged-up right throwing shoulder is jangling pregame nerves from Waterville to Woonsocket.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 5, 2026
A jangling set of house keys was once synonymous with American success: the striver’s ultimate prize.
From New York Times ● Feb. 4, 2024
Butter Bean, an elderly canine of terrier extraction, trots around the house in a sweater vest bearing a jangling sleigh bell.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 11, 2024
Cobblestones under their feet, the darkness of a roof above their heads, jangling mechanical music in the background.
From "American Gods" by Neil Gaiman
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.
