tinkle Definition
tin·kle (tiŋ′kəl)
intransitive verb -·kled, -·kling
- to make a series of small, short, light, ringing sounds like those of a very small bell
- ☆ Informal to urinate: child's term
Etymology: ME tynclen, freq. of tinken, to make a tinkling sound, of echoic orig.
transitive verb
- to cause to tinkle
- to indicate, signal, etc. by tinkling
noun
the act or sound of tinkling
tinkle Related Forms
tinkle Idioms
give someone a tinkle
Brit. to call someone on the telephone
tinkle Synonyms
tinkle
v.
tinkle Usage Examples
Object
- ivories: Noel's specialty was tinkling the ivories on a piano often to be found in a club house.
- bell: The options include: Broken dial tone ( default ) or tinkling the bell every 15 minutes on standard phones.
- piano: The instruments used range from tinkling piano to elegant strings.
- ivory: Around this lies the vibrating, tinkling ivories and a variety of guitar and bass sounds - an effective piece.
- sound: A wind chime fountain is a lovely way to add tinkling sounds to the water murmur.
- music: I hope they will get a proper hearing and it won't just be tinkling wall-paper music!
Converse of object
hear: On hearing the shop doorbell tinkle, the shopkeeper appeared from the backroom.
Adjective modifier
little: The old lady laughed, not a dainty little tinkle, but a deep, throaty belly-laugh.
Preposition: on
- piano: It's even got Elton John tinkling away on the piano.
- floor: Then methought the air grew denser, perfumed from an unseen censer Swung by Seraphim whose footfalls tinkled on the tufted floor.
Modifying Another Word
- away: I'd just passed through the lobby where a grand piano was tinkling away to a few guests.
- sweetly: Elsewhere, the driving wall-of-sound force of Good Morning Joan, tempered by sweetly tinkling bells, is sublime.
- still: Music Still tinkle the ivories whenever I get a chance but very rarely play an instument.
Followed by an intransitive particle
down: I got him somewhere; for the knife tinkled down on the floor.
Preposition: in
background: A pianist tinkling quietly in the background creates a lovely feel.
Preposition: of
- bell: The gentle tinkle of sheep bells floating across the countryside makes a very relaxing sound.
- cowbell: Echoing in the surrounding hillside is the delightful tinkle of cowbells.
- glass: There was a strange, loud whiz and a long, silvery tinkle of broken glass.
Noun used with modifier
piano: Waving, meandering and shifting synthesizer tones are his main ingredients, despite the vague piano tinkle in ' Prophet Making ' .

