WordGarden.iotickle
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /tˈɪkəl/
US
- /ˈtɪkəl/
Meanings
Verb
to touch someone lightly so they laugh or squirm
to amuse, delight, or please lightly
to cause a slight tingling or itchy sensation
Noun
a light tingling or irritating sensation, often from touch or in the throat or nose
Beyond the definition
To tickle someone is to touch them lightly in a way that makes them laugh or gives them a strange, hard-to-control feeling. It is often playful, like when someone touches a baby under the chin or along the ribs. But the word is not only about physical touch. Something can tickle your nose or throat by causing a light, uneasy feeling. An idea can also tickle your fancy, meaning it catches your interest and feels appealing.
The word usually suggests something light rather than strong. It can describe a playful touch, a small physical feeling, or a gentle sense of interest or pleasure.
In its most common sense, "tickle" means to touch a sensitive part of the body lightly so that the person laughs or squirms. People often think of the ribs, feet, or underarms when they hear this word. It usually has a playful feeling, especially between parents and children or among friends, though not everyone enjoys it.
The word can also describe a light feeling on the body that is not playful. A feather might tickle your skin, a hair might tickle your nose, or a drink with bubbles might tickle your throat. In these cases, it means a soft, slightly irritating, or tingling feeling rather than laughter.
It also has figurative uses. Something can tickle your fancy if it attracts you or seems interesting. A joke might tickle you, meaning it amuses you. The phrase "tickled pink" means very pleased. Across these uses, the word usually suggests a light reaction: laughter, mild pleasure, interest, or a small physical sensation.
Examples
- 1
Gentle touch
The baby’s soft hair tickled my chin when I picked her up.
- 2
Clothing irritation
That label on the back of my shirt keeps tickling my neck.
- 3
Amusement
His joke about the meeting really tickled me.
- Patterntickle someone
make someone laugh or feel amused
- 4
Food sensation
The spicy sauce tickled the back of my throat.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Sudden interest
I wasn’t planning to buy anything, but that little book tickled my fancy.
- Phrasetickle your fancy
make you suddenly interested in something
- 6
Happy reaction
She was tickled pink when her friends showed up with a cake.
- Phrasetickled pink
very pleased
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- ticklenounverb
Forms
- tickledpast tenseverbnoun
- tickling-ing formverbnoun
- ticklespluralnounverb