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
Jade Chung-Lee, PC Magazine, 10 May 2025
Many were especially tickled by the fact that Megan kept mentioning her own rule-breaking while continuing to break the rules.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 6 May 2025
Ashley Fredde, Idaho Statesman, 20 Apr. 2025
That's nothing new from Brown; the Tony-winning composer writes the kind of music that moves, endears, tickles, and entertains.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tickle
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Verb
While the flashy, often unusual Alienware design won’t be for everyone, the HP Omen Max's more low-key appearance may tickle your fancy.
—Jade Chung-Lee, PC Magazine, 10 May 2025
Many were especially tickled by the fact that Megan kept mentioning her own rule-breaking while continuing to break the rules.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 6 May 2025
Noun
Spring has sprung in Idaho, bringing the classic seasonal finicky weather, new blossoms and that familiar tickle in the nose from pollen when the wind blows.
—Ashley Fredde, Idaho Statesman, 20 Apr. 2025
That's nothing new from Brown; the Tony-winning composer writes the kind of music that moves, endears, tickles, and entertains.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 7 Apr. 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 28 May. 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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