jangle
Americanverb (used without object)
-
jangles,
present (3rd person singular)
-
jangled,
past participle, past
-
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.
-
to cause to become irritated or upset.
The loud noise of the motors jangled his nerves.
noun
-
a harsh or discordant sound.
-
an argument, dispute, or quarrel.
verb
-
to sound or cause to sound discordantly, harshly, or unpleasantly
the telephone jangled
-
(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
-
janglesimple
-
janglessimple
-
have jangledperfect
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has jangledperfect
-
am janglingprogressive
-
are janglingprogressive
-
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:
Over the group's career, their music has been described as new wave, sophisti-pop, jangle pop, indie pop, and post-punk.
From BBC ● Jul. 15, 2026
The “soothing” sound in this video, apparently, is the jangle of chains.
From Salon ● Feb. 25, 2025
She recognized that there’s nothing more dramatic than human contradiction, the clash and jangle of self-image and public perception.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 27, 2024
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
They landed on the floor with a soft jangle.
From "A Wish in the Dark" by Christina Soontornvat
The composer Adem Ilhan has written a warm score of creaky horns and foot-stomping jangles to pair with Basden’s 16 original songs, but the film’s actual soundtrack is Charles’ constant chatter.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 27, 2025
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
Ms. Cortes, a 45-year tenant of the building, said she jangles her keys when she approaches the front door to clear rats from her path.
From New York Times ● Nov. 5, 2021
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
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
Pape Matar Sarr's crisp finish increased Spurs' dominance and, even when nerves jangled after Matheus Nunes gave City hope seconds before half-time, Postecoglou's side maintained their progressive approach.
From BBC ● Oct. 30, 2024
As dusk fell, some activists put on goggles and helmets, carried makeshift shields, jangled tambourines and beat drums as they prepared for another standoff with law enforcement.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 30, 2024
He jangled the prop handcuffs he was already wearing.
From Slate ● Jun. 14, 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
The coins jangled as she passed them over.
From "Lyddie" by Katherine Paterson
That is jangling nerves in Kosovo and Bosnia.
From BBC ● Mar. 9, 2026
He describes the last of these with gentle clarity as “a lot like the jarring, jangling wrongness of the wrongly hit baseball.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 23, 2026
After a 3-0 thrashing at Chelsea last week in the Champions League, followed by a shaky win over Alaves to claim pole position in La Liga, nerves were jangling among home fans.
From Barron's ● Dec. 2, 2025
A jangling set of house keys was once synonymous with American success: the striver’s ultimate prize.
From New York Times ● Feb. 4, 2024
And what a strange sight he was with his black tunic, legs of two colors, split hat bobbing, and bells jangling.
From "Crispin: The Cross of Lead" by Avi
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