jangle

1 of 2

verb

jan·​gle ˈjaŋ-gəl 

jangled; jangling ˈjaŋ-g(ə-)liŋ 

intransitive verb

1

: to make a harsh or discordant often ringing sound

keys jangling in my pocket

2

: to quarrel verbally

3

: to talk idly

transitive verb

1

a

: to cause to sound harshly or inharmoniously

b

: to excite to tense irritation

jangled nerves

2

: to utter or sound in a discordant, babbling, or chattering way

jangler

ˈjaŋ-g(ə-)lər 

noun

jangle

2 of 2

noun

1

: a discordant often ringing sound

the jangle of spurs

2

: noisy quarreling

3

: idle talk

Synonyms of jangle

Noun

• chatter
• chat
• talk
• jaw

Examples of jangle in a Sentence

Verb

Coins jangled out of the machine.

He jangled his keys loudly outside the door.

Noun

the hall was abuzz with the usual preconvention jangle

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

But the Milan Cortina Games have a way of jangling nerves and chewing up champions. — Rick Maese, Washington Post, 16 Feb. 2026

That natural Britishness is exciting Longman even as the nerves jangle during last-minute prep for tomorrow night. — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2026

Noun

Better, perhaps, to have the power to choose who can see you—a jangle of chains, a nod, a hanky, a flick of the wrist. — Literary Hub, 26 May 2026

Its shrill, unmistakable jangle could penetrate through any distraction. — Sarena Neyman, Christian Science Monitor, 17 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French jangler, of Germanic origin; akin to Middle Dutch jangelen to grumble

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 3

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Phrases Containing jangle

• jangle someone's nerves

Rhymes for jangle

• angle
• bangle
• dangle
• mangle
• strangle
• tangle
• wrangle
• disentangle
• entangle
• quadrangle
• triangle
• untangle

Kids Definition

jangle

verb

jan·​gle

ˈjaŋ-gəl

jangled; jangling

-g(ə-)liŋ

1

: to make or cause to make a harsh ringing sound

2

: to excite to tense irritation

jangled nerves

jangle noun