jangle
Americanverb (used without object)
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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.
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to speak angrily; wrangle.
verb (used with object)
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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
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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
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an archaic word for wrangle
noun
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a harsh, unpleasant ringing noise
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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
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am janglingprogressive
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are janglingprogressive
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is janglingprogressive
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have been janglingperfect progressive
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has been janglingperfect progressive
Past
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jangledsimple
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had jangledperfect
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was janglingprogressive
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were janglingprogressive
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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.
Santa and Mrs. Claus were there, along with a tall skinny elf with curly ribbon hair who called himself Wrinkle Jingle Jangle.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 8, 2025
“One Night in Miami” will compete for outstanding motion picture along with “Bad Boys for Life,” “Da 5 Bloods,” “Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey” and “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.”
From Seattle Times • Feb. 2, 2021
The fresh addition to your family-friendly seasonal lineup is the hit Netflix original movie “Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey.”
From Washington Times • Dec. 12, 2020
“With shades of the unlamented Sir Jingle Jangle, ‘klusch, koch, klich’ - every trip”.
From The Guardian • Nov. 22, 2020
Jangle, jang′l, v.i. to sound discordantly as in wrangling: to wrangle or quarrel.—v.t. to cause to sound harshly.—n. discordant sound: contention.—ns.
From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) by Various
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.
