tingle

American  

[ting-guhl] / ˈtɪŋ gəl /

verb (used without object)

tingles, present (3rd person singular) tingled, past participle, past tingling present participle

1. to have a sensation of slight prickles, stings, or tremors, as from cold, a sharp blow, excitement, etc..

   I tingle all over.

2. to cause such a sensation.

   The scratch tingles.

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noun

tingles plural

1. a tingling sensation.

2. the tingling action of cold, a blow, excitement, etc.

   Synonyms:

   flutter, thrill

tingle British  

/ ˈtɪŋɡəl /

verb

1. (usually intr) to feel or cause to feel a prickling, itching, or stinging sensation of the flesh, as from a cold plunge or electric shock

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noun

1. a sensation of tingling

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• tingler
  noun
• tingling
  adjective
• tingly
  adjective
• tinglingly
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• tingles
  plural

Participles

• tingling
  present
• tingled
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• tingle
  simple
• tingles
  simple
• have tingled
  perfect
• has tingled
  perfect
• am tingling
  progressive
• are tingling
  progressive
• is tingling
  progressive
• have been tingling
  perfect progressive
• has been tingling
  perfect progressive

Past

• tingled
  simple
• had tingled
  perfect
• was tingling
  progressive
• were tingling
  progressive
• had been tingling
  perfect progressive

Future

• will tingle
  simple
• will have tingled
  perfect
• will be tingling
  progressive
• will have been tingling
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of tingle

1350–1400; Middle English tinglen (v.), variant of tinkle

Explanation

When something tingles, it prickles or stings a tiny bit. Walking through a haunted house might make your skin tingle with fear. A cool breeze makes your skin tingle, and a pep rally might leave you tingling with excitement. Tingle can also call be used as a noun: a tingle is similar to a shiver or a shudder, a light sensation that may have an emotional or physical cause. An earlier meaning of tingle was "a ringing sensation or sound."

Example Sentences

“You’re working three very different kinds of basketball,” said Jacob Tingle, director of sport management at Trinity University who has conducted research on officiating networks and pathways.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 3, 2025

Bectu assistant national secretary Jenny Tingle says many of those who have left Hollyoaks haven't found other work in the industry.

From BBC • Sep. 9, 2024

Any effort “that would create confusion or lack of clarity around those roles and responsibilities is not what we need to do in a time like this,” Tingle said.

From Washington Times • May 6, 2020

“The life insurance industry is the most logical setting for wellness,” says Brooks Tingle, president and CEO of John Hancock Insurance.

From The Verge • Sep. 26, 2018

Derring, along with the lab’s health officer, James Tingle, and Rufus House, assistant to Langley director Henry Reid, hustled over to the building, where several West Computers were anxiously waiting in the lobby.

From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly