jangle

[jang-guhl]

verb (used without object)

jangled, jangling 

1. 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.

2. to speak angrily; wrangle.

verb (used with object)

jangled, jangling 

1. to cause to make a harsh, discordant, usually metallic sound.

   He jangled the pots and pans.

2. to cause to become irritated or upset.

   The loud noise of the motors jangled his nerves.

noun

1. a harsh or discordant sound.

2. an argument, dispute, or quarrel.

jangle

/ ˈdʒæŋɡəl /

verb

1. to sound or cause to sound discordantly, harshly, or unpleasantly

   the telephone jangled

2. (tr) to produce a jarring effect on

   the accident jangled his nerves

3. an archaic word for wrangle

noun

1. a harsh, unpleasant ringing noise

2. an argument or quarrel

Other Word Forms

• jangler noun
• jangly adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of jangle¹

1250–1300; Middle English janglen < Old French jangler < Germanic; compare Middle Dutch jangelen to haggle, whine

Word History and Origins

Origin of jangle¹

C13: from Old French jangler, of Germanic origin; compare Middle Dutch jangelen to whine, complain

Example Sentences

He also wrote a poem about bells, bells, and more bells, ringing and clanging and jangling away, from tinkling sleigh bells like those of a troika, to the deep, basso tolling of funeral bells.

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He tried to calm his nerves, which had been jangled by the unusually strong earthquake.

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Ekitike's goal - Liverpool's second, neatly driven under Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford - eventually settled a derby where nerves were jangling in the closing minutes, as David Moyes' improving Toffees posed a real threat.

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A bad result could set party nerves jangling.

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The “soothing” sound in this video, apparently, is the jangle of chains.

Read more on Salon