tickle

¹tick·le

verb \ˈti-kəl\

tick·ledtick·ling\-k(ə-)liŋ\

Definition of TICKLE

transitive verb

1

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>

2

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

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

Examples of TICKLE

1. Her little brother screamed with laughter as she tickled him.
2. The tag on the sweater tickled his neck.
3. My nose started to tickle.
4. Don't touch me there; it tickles.
5. We were tickled by the invitation.
6. The idea of going to the party tickled her.

Origin of TICKLE

Middle English tikelen; akin to Old English tinclian to tickle

First Known Use: 14th century

Rhymes with TICKLE

brickle, chicle, fickle, mickle, nickel, pickle, prickle, sickle, stickle, tical, trickle