tinkle
3 synonyms and 0 antonyms for tinkle, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To make a light, high-pitched ringing sound, like a small bell.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use tinkle
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Informally, "tinkle" is also childish slang for urinating — keep that in mind in formal writing.
Etymology
From Middle English tinclen, built from "tink" plus a suffix showing repeated action — related to similar words in Dutch and German for glittering or flickering sounds.
Full origin of tinkle →Frequently asked questions
What does “tinkle” mean?
The word “tinkle” means to make a light, high-pitched ringing sound, like a small bell. In plain terms, a small, delicate ringing noise, or to make one.
How do you pronounce “tinkle”?
“Tinkle” is pronounced TIHNG-kuhl (/ˈtɪŋkəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “tinkle” in a sentence?
Here is “tinkle” used in a sentence: “Wind chimes tinkled softly on the porch.”
What part of speech is “tinkle”?
Depending on how it is used, “tinkle” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “tinkle” come from?
The word “tinkle” comes from Middle English. From Middle English tinclen, built from "tink" plus a suffix showing repeated action — related to similar words in Dutch and German for glittering or flickering sounds.
How many meanings does “tinkle” have?
“Tinkle” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to make a light, high-pitched ringing sound, like a small bell.