tickled; tickling
ˈti-k(ə-)liŋ 
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
3
: to touch or stir gently
a pianist tickling the ivories
1
: to have a tingling or prickling sensation
my back tickles
2
: to excite the surface nerves to prickle
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
Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 24 Oct. 2025
In one clip, Mason is tickling and playing with their little girl, while the next slide features a family selfie.
—Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
Beth Warren, The Tennessean, 10 Aug. 2025
Postnasal drip from a cold, allergies, or sinus infection may also cause a tickle in your throat and trigger coughing.
—Health Editorial Team, Health, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for tickle
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
The ghost of Fingers – who tickled the ivories for decades in the Calico Saloon – returned to his old haunt in a spirit form for the first time this Halloween season with a little help from the Knott’s Scary Farm creative team.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 24 Oct. 2025
In one clip, Mason is tickling and playing with their little girl, while the next slide features a family selfie.
—Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
Deklan's yougest sister, Juliet, 2, loves to ride on the back of her brother's wheelchair and engage in tickle fights as her nose crinkles through bouts of laughter.
—Beth Warren, The Tennessean, 10 Aug. 2025
Postnasal drip from a cold, allergies, or sinus infection may also cause a tickle in your throat and trigger coughing.
—Health Editorial Team, Health, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for tickle
Cite this Entry
“Tickle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tickle. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
noun
ˈtik-(ə-)lər
tickle
2 of 2 noun1
: the act of tickling
2
: a tickling sensation
3
: something that tickles
Medical Definition
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