tingle

American  

[ting-guhl] / ˈtɪŋ gəl /

verb (used without object)

tingled, tingling

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

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

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

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

How her skin would tingle with the first signs of irritation after just a few hours outside.

From BBC • May 7, 2026

It’s the kind of sour that will make your tongue tingle and, eventually, feel raw.

From Salon • Oct. 21, 2025

That fall morning in 2022, the furniture refinisher, who was 36 at the time, felt his limbs begin to tingle as he took the clamps off a table.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 16, 2025

"In addition to bitter taste, it also affects savory, salt, sweet, and sour tastes. However, AF-353 only blocks taste. Other oral sensations like the tingle from carbonation were not affected."

From Science Daily • Jun. 5, 2024

For one hopeful moment, she thought it might be that strange tingle she’d sensed in her feet before, but all too soon it subsided, utterly ordinary.

From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray