jangle
Americanverb (used without object)
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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)
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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
-
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
A grin plays across his face as the unmistakable jangle of Tim McGraw’s “I Like It, I Love It” wafts through the room.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 9, 2025
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
The jangle of keys, the heavy locks on every door can all make you forget you are in a hospital.
From BBC ● Sep. 28, 2022
The footsteps retreated, then returned with a jangle of keys.
From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom
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
America has gasped en masse watching aliens detonate the White House in the movie “Independence Day” and, at 3 a.m. in Los Angeles, the telephone of its young star, Will Smith, jangles him awake.
From New York Times ● Nov. 9, 2021
I simply cannot shake the idea that a telephone is something black and Bakelite that sits on a shelf and is never moved and jangles, at most, a couple of times a week.
From Slate ● Jan. 13, 2014
When the clinic bell jangles again, I peek up long enough to see Jason’s mother isn’t holding a guitar.
From "Rules" by Cynthia Lord
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
Nerves about a global recession were jangled on Tuesday by weak U.S. housing market data and the U.S.
From Reuters ● May 25, 2022
The noise, the rank stinks, the shouldering contact of human flesh soothed his jangled nerves.
From "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" by Carson McCullers
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
The prospect of Andrew being forced to give evidence would set the Palace nerves jangling.
From BBC ● Feb. 4, 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
“Where?” the captain asked, jangling Celaena’s chain for Dorian to notice.
From "Throne of Glass" by Sarah J. Maas
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.
