jingle

[ jing-guhl ]

verb (used without object)

, jin·gled, jin·gling.

1. to make clinking or tinkling sounds, as do coins, keys, or other light, resonant metal objects when coming into contact or being struck together repeatedly:

   The keys on his belt jingled as he walked.

2. to move or proceed with such sounds:

   The sleigh, decorated with bells, jingled along the snowy road.

3. to sound in a light, repetitious manner suggestive of this, as verse, a sequence of words, or piece of music.
4. to make rhymes.

verb (used with object)

, jin·gled, jin·gling.

1. to cause to jingle:

   He jingled the coins in his pocket.

noun

1. a tinkling or clinking sound, as of small bells or of small pieces of resonant metal repeatedly struck one against another.
2. something that makes such a sound, as a small bell or a metal pendant.
3. a catchy succession of like or repetitious sounds, as in music or verse.
4. a piece of verse or a short song having such a catchy succession of sounds, usually of a light or humorous character:

   an advertising jingle.

5. Irish English and Australian. a loosely sprung, two-wheeled, roofed carriage, usually used as a hackney coach.

jingle

/ ˈdʒɪŋɡəl /

verb

1. to ring or cause to ring lightly and repeatedly
2. intr to sound in a manner suggestive of jingling

   a jingling verse

noun

1. a sound of metal jingling

   the jingle of the keys

2. a catchy and rhythmic verse, song, etc, esp one used in advertising

Derived Forms

• ˈjingly, adjective
• ˈjingler, noun

Other Words From

• jingler noun
• jingling·ly adverb
• jingly adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of jingle¹

1350–1400; Middle English gynglen, apparently imitative; compare Dutch jengelen; -le

Word History and Origins

Origin of jingle¹

C16: probably of imitative origin; compare Dutch jengelen

Example Sentences

Each time Gertrude’s snout found a treat in a researcher’s hand, a musical jingle sounded.

From Science News For Students

It starred the company’s CEO, standing in a field and singing a jingle he wrote.

From Washington Post

Every few days we essentially recycle ourselves, reminiscent of an old advertising jingle for milk, “There’s a new you coming every day!”

From Nautilus

At a young age, we performed living room talent shows to the commercial jingles, incorporated plastic drive-thru toys into our play, and had birthday parties in McDonald’s side lobbies.

From Eater

The concept had been notoriously difficult, so her teacher assigned a remix to the accompanying jingle to be presented in class the next day.

From Ozy

We sing “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “Jingle Bells”.

From The Daily Beast

Can you imagine Bud Powell or Charlie Parker writing a jingle?

From The Daily Beast

People might be surprised that during that period “Maiden Voyage,” one of your most well-loved standards, began as a TV jingle.

From The Daily Beast

The 420-friendly site, “built by stoners for stoners,” allows you to mingle and jingle with—well, you get it.

From The Daily Beast

Professional jingle /voice-over artist Eddie Ganz provided the vocals.

From The Daily Beast

Garnache took the proffered chair, and sank down with creak and jingle to warm himself at the fire.

From Project Gutenberg

Then he heard the sudden jingle of a bit, and presently a horse and rider climbed into view against the pure sky.

From Project Gutenberg

A moment later we, too, heard the sound; it was the jingle of approaching sleigh-bells.

From Project Gutenberg

Presently the jingle of harness sounded behind me, and the guns went by to take up a position on the left.

From Project Gutenberg

According to Skeat jingle, “a frequentative verb from the base jink,” is allied to chink, and chink is “an imitative word”.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• clang
• clatter
• clink