intransitive verb

1
: to make a light clinking or tinkling sound
2
: to rhyme or sound in a catchy repetitious manner

transitive verb

: to cause to jingle

jingle

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: a light clinking or tinkling sound
b
: a catchy repetition of sounds in a poem
2
a
: something that jingles
b
: a short verse or song marked by catchy repetition

Examples of jingle in a Sentence

Verb Bells jingled in the distance. She jingled the coins in her pocket. Noun I heard the jingle of bells. the jingle of change in my pocket
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Clarkson’s tune jingles its way from No. 12 to No. 10, entering the top 10 for the first time, years after it was first released. Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024 This winter, tastemakers are jingling all the way with purses bedecked in handbag charms. Stacia Datskovska, WWD, 17 Dec. 2024
Noun
Just the same damn jingles and dings as Bally’s though. Jonathan Rowe, SPIN, 18 Dec. 2024 Picture show Robin Lubbock/WBUR Zildjian cymbals can be heard in everything from rock music to advertising jingles. Brittney Melton, NPR, 18 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for jingle 

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English ginglen, of imitative origin

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of jingle was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near jingle

Cite this Entry

“Jingle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jingle. Accessed 29 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

jingle

1 of 2 verb
: to make or cause to make a light clinking sound
coins jingled in their pockets

jingle

2 of 2 noun
1
: a light clinking sound
2
: a catchy repetition of sounds in a poem
3
: a verse or song marked by catchy repetition

More from Merriam-Webster on jingle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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