verb
tinkle
TIHNG-kuhl
Tinkle (verb) means to make a light, high-pitched ringing sound, like a small bell. Example: “Wind chimes tinkled softly on the porch.”
verb
1
To make a light, high-pitched ringing sound, like a small bell.
"Wind chimes tinkled softly on the porch."
"Ice cubes tinkled against the glass as she stirred her drink."
noun
1
A light, high-pitched ringing sound.
"She heard the tinkle of a bicycle bell behind her."
How to use tinkle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small, delicate ringing noise, or to make one.
When to use it
Informally, "tinkle" is also childish slang for urinating — keep that in mind in formal writing.
Common pairings
tinkle of bells
a faint tinkle
tinkle softly
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Word forms
- Plural
- tinkles
- Third person singular
- tinkles
- Past tense
- tinkled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Wind chimes _____ softly on the porch.
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.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for tinkle
See all rhymes for 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.
