jangle

1 of 2

verb

jan·​gle ˈjaŋ-gəl How to pronounce jangle (audio)
jangled; jangling ˈjaŋ-g(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce jangle (audio)
Synonyms of janglenext

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 noun

jangle

2 of 2

noun

1
: a discordant often ringing sound
the jangle of spurs
2
: noisy quarreling
3
: idle talk

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
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
Perhaps too good for his own good, Lucas moves among jangling psychedelia, heartsick pastorals, and radio-ready rock, as if forever searching for a way out of his attic studio or his parents’ spare bedroom. Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 23 May 2026 That era was defined by wrists piled high with jangling bangles, sculptural — and sometimes spiky — cuffs and stacks of mismatched bracelets worn with an intentionally carefree energy. Lauren Fisher, Footwear News, 22 May 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 By 1996, every band with a guitar felt the pressure to crank its amps as loud as possible, and even indie pop fans heard the clean jangle of prior years give way to the distorted crunch and Psychocandy worship of bands like Black Tambourine and Henry’s Dress. David Glickman, Pitchfork, 27 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for jangle

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

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Jangle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jangle. Accessed 29 May. 2026.

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

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