adjective
Uncommon
rattling
Rattling (adjective) means Lively and brisk, especially of speech or pace. Example: “She told the story at a rattling pace.”
adjective
1
Lively and brisk, especially of speech or pace.
"She told the story at a rattling pace."
2
Old-fashioned informal word for excellent or splendid.
"They had a rattling good time at the fair."
noun
1
A rapid series of clattering sounds.
"The rattling of the pipes woke him up."
How to use rattling
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a clattering noise, or (old-fashioned) an intensifier meaning "really good."
When to use it
The "excellent" sense ("a rattling good story") is dated and mostly found in older British writing.
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Word forms
- Plural
- rattlings
- Comparative
- more rattling
- Superlative
- most rattling
Fill the gap
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She told the story at a _____ pace.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for rattling
See all rhymes for rattling →Frequently asked questions
What does “rattling” mean?
The word “rattling” means lively and brisk, especially of speech or pace. In plain terms, either a clattering noise, or (old-fashioned) an intensifier meaning "really good.".
How do you use “rattling” in a sentence?
Here is “rattling” used in a sentence: “She told the story at a rattling pace.”
What part of speech is “rattling”?
Depending on how it is used, “rattling” can be an adjective and a noun.
Is “rattling” a common word?
“Rattling” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “rattling” have?
“Rattling” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: lively and brisk, especially of speech or pace.
