tingle

1 of 2

verb

tin·​gle ˈtiŋ-gəl 

tingled; tingling ˈtiŋ-g(ə-)liŋ 

intransitive verb

1

a

: to feel a ringing, stinging, prickling, or thrilling sensation

b

: to cause such a sensation

2

: tinkle sense 1

tinglingly

ˈtiŋ-g(ə-)liŋ-lē 

adverb

tingly

ˈtiŋ-g(ə-)lē 

adjective

tingle

2 of 2

noun

plural tingles

: a tingling sensation : a usually slight ringing, stinging, prickling, or thrilling sensation

She felt a tingle of excitement/anticipation.

It offers the palate-pleasing tingle of a bubbly soda with a much-simplified ingredient list of often nothing more than water and carbonation.

—Chelsey Dulaney

Soon my thinking cleared up, but the surges renewed—pain, and a frisson of electricity around the eye, into the cheek, a vague tingle.

—Sallie Tisdale

Synonyms of tingle

Verb

• jingle
• clink
• tinkle
• rattle
• ring

Noun

• ache
• pang
• sting
• pain

Examples of tingle in a Sentence

Verb

My arm was numb and tingling.

awoke to the steady pitter-patter of raindrops tingling on the rooftop

Noun

can't stand those funny tingles I get when my foot falls asleep

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Pay attention, however, to warning signs such as numbness, tingling, sharp pain, or next-day joint swelling, Wickham added. —Danielle Zickl, Health, 26 Feb. 2026

Her sleep was getting worse, and the tingling numbness in her hands returned. —Sarah Boden, NPR, 26 Feb. 2026

Noun

In the true spirit of Sámi, and more specifically, joiking, Barruk’s work is intended to be felt fully, a tingle from the top of your head down to your toes. —Erika Owen, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Feb. 2026

There's a tingle in the air, right? —Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, alteration of tinklen to tinkle, tingle

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1879, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing tingle

• tingle with excitement

Rhymes for tingle

• commingle
• dingle
• ingle
• jingle
• lingle
• mingle
• pringle
• shingle
• single
• swingle
• intermingle

Kids Definition

tingle

verb

tin·​gle ˈtiŋ-gəl 

tingled; tingling ˈtiŋ-g(ə-)liŋ 

: to feel or cause a prickling or thrilling sensation

tingle noun

tingly

-g(ə-)lē 

adjective

Medical Definition

tingle

intransitive verb

tin·​gle ˈtiŋ-gəl 

tingled; tingling -g(ə-)liŋ 

: to feel a stinging or prickling sensation

tingle noun