tickle

1 of 2

verb

tick·​le ˈti-kəl How to pronounce tickle (audio)
tickled; tickling ˈti-k(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce tickle (audio)

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 rhythmEdward 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
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
Advertisement The humor still tickles, especially when the score by Mary Rodgers (music) and Barer (lyrics) accelerates the high jinks. Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 16 Dec. 2024 Even though this circular haven is bantam in size, there are plenty of things to do to keep you tickled during your visit. Wendy Altschuler, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
Noun
The result is a punch of spice, a tickle of tang and a soupçon of sweet. Adam Tschorn, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2024 Titmouse is an animation studio best known for shows that tickle the funny bone and the heart. Rob Wieland, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for tickle 

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

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

Dictionary Entries Near tickle

Cite this Entry

“Tickle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tickle. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

tickle

1 of 2 verb
tick·​le ˈtik-əl How to pronounce tickle (audio)
tickled; tickling -(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce tickle (audio)
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 How to pronounce tickle (audio)
tickled; tickling -(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce tickle (audio)

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 throatKarl Menninger
3
: something that tickles

More from Merriam-Webster on tickle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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