What does "tingle" mean?
A prickling or mildly stinging sensation; frisson.
Tingle
/ˈtɪŋɡəl/ name, noun, verb
name, noun, verb ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A prickling or mildly stinging sensation; frisson.
- Grammar: tingle is listed as name, noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: frisson, prickling, thrill, ache.
- Useful contrasts: bore, boredom, calm.
- Usage evidence: The cola made my tongue tingle.
How to use "tingle"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "tingle" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "tingle" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "tingle" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "tingle" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "tingle" is acting as name, noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "frisson" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "tingle", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A prickling or mildly stinging sensation; frisson.
- 2 A nail of the very smallest size; a tack.
"From the diminutive "tingle" or baby tack up to the massive ship spike, almost every kind of nail is shown, not only in iron and steel, but also in copper, zinc, and brass,, and on the partition will be noticed a somewhat novel application of nails."
- 3 a somatic sensation as from many tiny stings wordnet
- 4 A tingling sound; a chime or tinkle.
"Their every chime, ring, and tingle sings with joy and makes wonderful music as they dance with the swirling winds of nature."
- 5 A patch that covers a hole in something that needs to be watertight, such as a roof or a boat.
"If damage is localised then you may easily tingle it over and a perfectly good sound job may be made with a tingle. Metal tingles are not ; they require a lot of fastenings and even then are not easily made really watertight."
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 an almost pleasurable sensation of fright wordnet
- 7 An attachment in the middle of a long guide line to keep it from sagging.
"The tingle is fastened on the top of the brick by a small pat of mortar, on which is placed a piece of brick to keep the tingle firm."
Verb
- 1 To feel a prickling or mildly stinging sensation. intransitive
"My hands were tingling from the cold."
- 2 To fasten with a tingle; to tack.
"Tingle the middle down by placing a tingle at the toe, and a couple at the joints."
- 3 cause a stinging or tingling sensation wordnet
- 4 To cause to feel a prickling or mildly stinging sensation. transitive
"Tingle your tastebuds with these exotic dishes."
- 5 To patch with a tingle; to cover a hole in something that needs to be watertight.
"If damage is localised then you may easily tingle it over and a perfectly good sound job may be made with a tingle."
Show 3 more definitions
- 6 To ring; to tinkle or twang. intransitive
"Sideways leaning, we sideways darted; every ropeyarn tingling like a wire; the two tall masts buckling like Indian canes in land tornadoes."
- 7 To secure the middle of a guide line by means of a tingle.
"If there is much length of line it will require tingling up to keep it from sagging. To tingle a line it is best to have a plumbing place at that point were the tingle is to be fixed so as to ensure the work beging kept true."
- 8 To cause to ring, to tinkle. transitive
"Jackson, the butler, older of course, and altered he can see at a glance, opens the door almost before his hand is off the bell he has only gently tingled."
Proper Noun
- 1 A surname.
Example
"The cola made my tongue tingle."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "tingle"?
Common synonyms include: frisson, prickling, thrill, ache, agonize, ail.
How do you use "tingle" in a sentence?
The cola made my tongue tingle.
How do you pronounce "tingle"?
Pronounced /ˈtɪŋɡəl/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English tinglen, a variant of tinclen (“to tinkle”). More at tinkle.
Etymology 2
cognate with the Middle High German zingel