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
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janglesimple
-
janglessimple
-
have jangledperfect
-
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
“It’s a big space,” he said in an interview, away from the jangle of slot machines and the smoke-laden casino floor.
From New York Times ● Feb. 1, 2024
Her silver bracelets jangle as she crosses the room.
From "Sparrow" by Sarah Moon
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
It’s the useful kind of confusion, though: the kind that jangles but does not preach — and the kind our theater needs more of.
From New York Times ● May 8, 2022
She has that quality here too, a cuteness that jangles, in a perhaps accidental but intriguing kind of way, with the character’s blooming toughness, sharpness, and confidence.
From Slate ● Mar. 14, 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
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
That left Brook and Jos Buttler to get the 42 runs required and nerves probably jangled when the England skipper misjudged a sweep on 42 and was lbw to Jeffrey Vandersay.
From BBC ● Jan. 24, 2026
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
A little bell jangled as Hugo stepped inside the store.
From "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" by Brian Selznick
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
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 bad result could set party nerves jangling.
From BBC ● Apr. 24, 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
Juggling her load, earrings jingling and charm bracelet jangling, Sydelle Pulaski unlocked the several locks to apartment 3c and bolted the door behind her.
From "The Westing Game" by Ellen Raskin
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