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
-
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
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
No, there is no séance with the supernatural nor summoning of spirits, just a jangle of regrets.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 23, 2023
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
Later he will listen for footsteps in the corridor, the jangle of keys, and when it's clear, he will stand on the table.
From "The Boy Who Dared" by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
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
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
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
The bell above the clinic door jangles as she leaves.
From "Rules" by Cynthia Lord
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
Asteroid 2023 DZ2 is three times the size of the one that jangled nerves and blew out windows over the Russian industrial city of Chelyabinsk 10 years ago.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 23, 2023
Hearts' nerves jangled slightly when Shankland was sent off in injury time - the captain given two questionable yellow cards after tangling twice with Rocky Bushiri.
From BBC ● Jan. 22, 2023
The bracelets on his wrists and ankles jangled.
From "Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky" by Kwame Mbalia
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 jangling set of house keys was once synonymous with American success: the striver’s ultimate prize.
From New York Times ● Feb. 4, 2024
In the evening, we strolled the Venice canals, holding hands like any other young couple, only with my wedding ring jangling against the change in my coin purse.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 2, 2024
She came to me at once, a strange rather ludicrous figure in her eastern drapery, the bangles jangling on her wrists.
From "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier
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