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British

jingle

[ jing-guhl ]

/ ˈdʒɪŋ gəl /

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See synonyms for jingle on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object), jin·gled, jin·gling.

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.

to move or proceed with such sounds: The sleigh, decorated with bells, jingled along the snowy road.

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

to make rhymes.

verb (used with object), jin·gled, jin·gling.

to cause to jingle: He jingled the coins in his pocket.

noun

a tinkling or clinking sound, as of small bells or of small pieces of resonant metal repeatedly struck one against another.

something that makes such a sound, as a small bell or a metal pendant.

a catchy succession of like or repetitious sounds, as in music or verse.

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.

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

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Origin of jingle

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

OTHER WORDS FROM jingle

jingler, nounjin·gling·ly, adverbjingly, adjective

Words nearby jingle

jin, Jinan, jingal, Jingdezhen, Jinghis Khan, jingle, jingle bell, jingle shell, jingling Johnny, jingo, jingoism

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use jingle in a sentence

Each time Gertrude’s snout found a treat in a researcher’s hand, a musical jingle sounded.
New technology can get inside your head. Are you ready?|Laura Sanders|February 11, 2021|Science News For Students
It starred the company’s CEO, standing in a field and singing a jingle he wrote.
The 5 worst Super Bowl commercials, from Dolly Parton’s betrayal to that awkward Oatly jingle|Maura Judkis, Sonia Rao|February 8, 2021|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!”
Over Time, Buddhism and Science Agree - Issue 94: Evolving|David P. Barash|December 23, 2020|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.
The McDonald’s Commercials That Live in Our Minds, Rent Free|MM Carrigan|December 18, 2020|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.
Meet NASA’s Dopest Engineer|Joshua Eferighe|December 2, 2020|Ozy
We sing “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “Jingle Bells”.
Congress’ Gift That Keeps on Giving|P. J. O’Rourke|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Can you imagine Bud Powell or Charlie Parker writing a jingle?
Herbie Hancock Holds Forth|David Yaffe|November 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
People might be surprised that during that period “Maiden Voyage,” one of your most well-loved standards, began as a TV jingle.
Herbie Hancock Holds Forth|David Yaffe|November 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The 420-friendly site, “built by stoners for stoners,” allows you to mingle and jingle with—well, you get it.
The Stoner's Guide to the Internet|Abby Haglage|August 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Professional jingle /voice-over artist Eddie Ganz provided the vocals.
The Government Is Using Subliminal Songs To Scare Immigrants|Caitlin Dickson|July 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Garnache took the proffered chair, and sank down with creak and jingle to warm himself at the fire.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini
Then he heard the sudden jingle of a bit, and presently a horse and rider climbed into view against the pure sky.
Uncanny Tales|Various
A moment later we, too, heard the sound; it was the jingle of approaching sleigh-bells.
The Idyl of Twin Fires|Walter Prichard Eaton
Presently the jingle of harness sounded behind me, and the guns went by to take up a position on the left.
The Relief of Mafeking|Filson Young
According to Skeat jingle, “a frequentative verb from the base jink,” is allied to chink, and chink is “an imitative word”.
Archaic England|Harold Bayley

British Dictionary definitions for jingle

jingle

/ (ˈdʒɪŋɡəl) /

verb

to ring or cause to ring lightly and repeatedly

(intr) to sound in a manner suggestive of jinglinga jingling verse

noun

a sound of metal jinglingthe jingle of the keys

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

Derived forms of jingle

jingler, nounjingly, adjective

Word Origin for jingle

C16: probably of imitative origin; compare Dutch jengelen

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012