rattling

1 of 2

adjective

rat·​tling ˈrat-liŋ 

1

: lively, brisk

moved at a rattling pace

2

: extraordinarily good : splendid

rattlingly

ˈrat-liŋ-lē 

adverb

rattling

2 of 2

adverb

: to an extreme degree : very

a rattling good story

Synonyms of rattling

Adjective

• rapid
• brisk
• galloping
• quick
• fast
• swift

Adverb

• extremely
• very
• terribly
• damn
• damned
• incredibly
• too
• highly
• badly
• so
• really
• desperately
• severely
• jolly
• seriously
• far
• wildly
• that
• especially
• full
• greatly
• thumping

Examples of rattling in a Sentence

Adjective

we drove off at a rattling pace

Adverb

a rattling good storyteller

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

With all these features and a unique design that eliminates all the rattling and imprecise grips of conventional wrenches, this tool could find frequent use in your workshop. — New Atlas, 18 May 2026

And then there’s Bottner’s singing voice; from the deepest corner of his lungs comes a commanding bellow with a low, rattling timbre, like a cross between Bill Callahan and Jason Molina. — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 22 Apr. 2026

Their play is a symphony of cheers and swishes, conversation and laughter, dribbling balls and rattling rims. — Chris John Amorosino, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2026

But others, where relentless, shelter-soaking rain is the aggressor, are no less vivid and terrifying, amplified by the rattling, percussive intensity of extraordinary sound design by Lena Esquenazi, Valeria Mancheva and Antonio Porem. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 22 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

1828, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing rattling

• saber rattling
• sabre rattling

Rhymes for rattling

• prattling

Kids Definition

rattling

1 of 2 adjective

rat·​tling ˈrat-liŋ 

: very brisk : lively

going at a rattling pace

rattling

2 of 2 adverb

: very entry 2 sense 1

a rattling good tale