adjective
rattling
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.
Word Forms
more rattling comparative, rattlings plural, most rattling superlative
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She told the story at a _____ pace.