tickle

1 of 2

verb

tick·​le ˈti-kəl 

tickled; tickling ˈti-k(ə-)liŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to touch (a body part, a person, etc.) lightly so as to excite the surface nerves and cause uneasiness, laughter, or spasmodic movements

2

a

: to excite or stir up agreeably : please

music … does more than tickle our sense of rhythm

—Edward Sapir

b

: to provoke to laughter or merriment : amuse

were tickled by the clown's antics

3

: to touch or stir gently

a pianist tickling the ivories

intransitive verb

1

: to have a tingling or prickling sensation

my back tickles

2

: to excite the surface nerves to prickle

tickle

2 of 2

noun

1

: the act of tickling

2

: a tickling sensation

3

: something that tickles

Examples of tickle in a Sentence

Verb

Her little brother screamed with laughter as she tickled him.

The tag on the sweater tickled his neck.

My nose started to tickle.

Don't touch me there; it tickles.

We were tickled by the invitation.

The idea of going to the party tickled her.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Now?: Videos that tickle what is known as the Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response used to belong to a specific corner of the internet. —Christopher Barnard, New York Times, 21 May 2024

The Kardashians star posed in matching red pajamas with her kids in one of the photos and tickled them in another. —Esme Mazzeo, Peoplemag, 19 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English tikelen; akin to Old English tinclian to tickle

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2a

Noun

1801, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing tickle

• tickle someone's fancy

Kids Definition

tickle

1 of 2 verb

tick·​le ˈtik-əl 

tickled; tickling -(ə-)liŋ 

1

: to touch a body part lightly so as to cause uneasiness, laughter, or jerky movements

2

: to have a tingling or prickling sensation

3

a

: to excite or stir up agreeably : please

food that tickles your taste buds

b

: to stir to laughter or merriment

were tickled by the clown's antics

tickler

ˈtik-(ə-)lər

noun

tickle

2 of 2 noun

1

: the act of tickling

2

: a tickling sensation

3

: something that tickles

Medical Definition

tickle

1 of 2 verb

tick·​le ˈtik-əl 

tickled; tickling -(ə-)liŋ 

intransitive verb

1

: to have a tingling or prickling sensation

my back tickles

2

: to excite the surface nerves to prickle

transitive verb

: to touch (as a body part) lightly so as to excite the surface nerves and cause uneasiness, laughter, or spasmodic movements

tickle

2 of 2 noun

1

: the act of tickling

2

: a tickling sensation

a cough is a reflex to a tickle in the throat

—Karl Menninger

3

: something that tickles