First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1tickle
verb tick·le \ˈti-kəl\
: to try to make (someone) laugh by lightly touching a very sensitive part of the body with your fingers, a feather, etc.
: to have or cause a slightly uncomfortable feeling on a part of your body
: to please or amuse (someone or something)
tick·ledtick·ling \-k(ə-)liŋ\
Full Definition of TICKLE
transitive verb
1
2
: to touch (as a body part) lightly so as to excite the surface nerves and cause uneasiness, laughter, or spasmodic movements
3
: to touch or stir gently <a pianist tickling the ivories>
intransitive verb
1
: to have a tingling or prickling sensation <my back tickles>
2
: to excite the surface nerves to prickle
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Origin of TICKLE
Middle English tikelen; akin to Old English tinclian to tickle
2tickle
noun
Definition of TICKLE
1
: the act of tickling
2
: a tickling sensation
3
: something that tickles
First Known Use of TICKLE
1801
TICKLE Defined for Kids
1tickle
verb tick·le \ˈti-kəl\
tick·ledtick·ling
Definition of TICKLE for Kids
1
: to have a tingling or prickling sensation <My nose tickles.>
2
: to touch (a body part) lightly so as to cause laughter or jerky movements <I tickled the baby's feet.>
3
: to excite or stir up agreeably <This food tickles my taste buds.>
4
: amuse 2 <… Avery was tickled to find himself so wet … — E. B. White, Charlotte's Web.>
2tickle
noun
Definition of TICKLE for Kids
: a tingling or prickling sensation
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