Jangle

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈdʒæŋ.É¡É™l/
• (also) US IPA: /ˈdÊ’eɪŋ.É¡É™l/
• Rhymes: -æŋɡəl

Origin

Middle English janglen ("to talk excessively, chatter, talk idly"), from Old French jangler ("to chatter, gossip, bawl, argue noisily"), perhaps from Frankish *jangelon ("to jeer") (compare Middle Dutch jangelen ("to whine")).

Full definition of jangle

Verb

1. (intransitive) To make a rattling metallic sound.
2. (transitive) To cause something to make a rattling metallic sound.
• ShakespeareLike sweet bells jangled, out of tune, and harsh.
3. (transitive) To irritate.The sound from the next apartment jangled my nerves.
4. To quarrel in words; to wrangle.
• ShakespeareGood wits will be jangling; but, gentles, agree.
• CarlylePrussian Trenck ... jargons and jangles in an unmelodious manner.

Noun

1. A rattling metallic sound.
• Longfellowthe musical jangle of sleigh bells
2. (obsolete) Idle talk; prate; chatter; babble.

Usage notes

somewhat harsher than jingle

Related terms

• jangly
• jingle