tickle Meaning & Definition
What Does Tickle Mean?
Tickle is used as a noun meaning The act of tickling. It is also used to mean An itchy feeling resembling the result of tickling. As a verb, it means To touch repeatedly or stroke delicately in a manner which typically causes laughter, pleasure and twitching. As an adjective, it means Changeable, capricious; insecure.
Tickle in Brief
| Part of speech | noun, verb, adjective, adverb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | //ˈtɪkl̩// |
| Syllables | 1 |
| Synonyms | thrill, titillate and tickling |
| Plural | tickles |
| Comparative / superlative | more tickle, most tickle |
| Verb forms | tickles, tickling, tickled |
Tickle Definition (Noun)
- The act of tickling.
- An itchy feeling resembling the result of tickling.
I have a persistent tickle in my throat.
- A light tap of the ball.
- A narrow strait, such as between an island and the shore.
Tickle as a Verb
- To touch repeatedly or stroke delicately in a manner which typically causes laughter, pleasure and twitching.
He tickled Nancy's tummy, and she started to giggle.
- To feel as if the body part in question is being tickled.
My nose tickles, and I'm going to sneeze!
- To appeal to someone's taste, curiosity etc.
- To cause delight or amusement in.
He was tickled to receive such a wonderful gift.
- To feel titillation.
- To catch fish in the hand (usually in rivers or smaller streams) by manually stimulating the fins.
- To be excited or heartened.
Tickle as an Adjective
- Changeable, capricious; insecure.
Tickle as an Adverb
- Insecurely, precariously, unstably.
Synonyms of Tickle
Tickle synonyms and antonyms →Antonyms of Tickle
No antonyms or near antonyms are listed by the available sources for this entry.
Tickle in a Sentence
I have a persistent tickle in my throat.
He tickled Nancy's tummy, and she started to giggle.
My nose tickles, and I'm going to sneeze!
He was tickled to receive such a wonderful gift.
Word Forms & Grammar
tickle (plural tickles)
tickle (third-person singular simple present tickles, present participle tickling, simple past and past participle tickled)
tickle (comparative more tickle, superlative most tickle)
Words That Rhyme With Tickle
Origin of Tickle
From Middle English tiklen, tikelen, of uncertain origin. Perhaps from a frequentative form of Middle English tikken (“to touch lightly”), thus equivalent to tick + -le; or perhaps related to Old English tinclian (“to tickle”). Compare North Frisian tigele (“to tickle”) (Hallig dialect), and tiikle (“to tickle”) (Amrum dialect), German dialectal zicklen (“to excite; stir up”). Alternatively, from a metathetic alteration of Middle English kitelen ("to tickle"; see kittle). Both are ultimately sound-symbolic.
Tickle Pronunciation
The standard pronunciation of tickle is //ˈtɪkl̩//, spoken in 1 syllable.
Quick Answers About Tickle
Is tickle a noun or a verb?
Tickle is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb, an adjective and an adverb.
What is another word for tickle?
Words with a similar meaning to tickle include thrill, titillate and tickling. See the full list of tickle synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of tickle?
The plural of tickle is tickles.
What is the past tense of tickle?
The past tense of tickle is tickled. The present participle is tickling.
What are the comparative and superlative forms of tickle?
The comparative form is more tickle and the superlative form is most tickle.