jingle

American  

[jing-guhl] / ˈdʒɪŋ gəl /

verb (used without object)

jingled, jingling

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.

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verb (used with object)

jingled, jingling

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 British  

/ 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

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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

Other Word Forms

• jingler noun
• jinglingly adverb
• jingly adjective

Etymology

Origin of jingle

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

Example Sentences

The single opens with the sound of jingle bells being briskly rung.

From Salon • Dec. 23, 2025

Its catchy jingle, which builds to the tagline "Everyone Loves Marineland," was a staple on Canadian television.

From Barron's • Nov. 26, 2025

The world’s largest pizza chain last month revamped its look to feature brighter and black-and-gold boxes, a new jingle and a thicker font, called “Domino’s Sans.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 17, 2025

If it sounds like a reach, just remember Hanes used a catchy jingle and Michael Jordan’s popularity to convince America’s men to buy the brand’s underwear.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 18, 2025

I remember the clammy smell of beef-and-potato casserole, and the jingle of ice cubes tumbling into tall glasses, which sweated in the summer heat.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover

Related Words

• clang
• clatter
• clink