SKIP TO CONTENT

tickle

/ˈtɪkəl/
/ˈtɪkəl/
IPA guide

Other forms: tickled; tickles

When you tickle someone, you touch them in a way that makes them laugh and squirm. It's impossible to tickle yourself—you can only tickle others.

You might tickle a baby to make him squeal and giggle, and the sensation he feels is also called a tickle. An itching sensation is also sometimes referred to as a tickle, like a tickle in your throat when you're getting sick. Colloquially, you can tickle someone (or tickle them pink) by delighting them: "It tickles me when you surprise me with cupcakes!" Some experts suspect that this word comes from the Scots kittle, "to tickle."

Definitions of tickle
  1. verb
    (archaic) touch a body part lightly so as to excite the surface nerves and cause uneasiness, laughter, or spasmodic movements
    synonyms: titillate, vellicate
    see moresee less
    type of:
    itch
    have or perceive an itch
  2. verb
    touch or stroke lightly
    “The grass tickled her calves”
    see moresee less
    type of:
    caress, fondle
    touch or stroke lightly in a loving or endearing manner
  3. verb
    feel sudden intense sensation or emotion
    synonyms: thrill, vibrate
    see moresee less
    type of:
    excite, shake, shake up, stimulate, stir
    stir the feelings, emotions, or peace of
  4. noun
    the act of tickling
    synonyms: tickling, titillation
    see moresee less
    type of:
    touch, touching
    the act of putting two things together with no space between them
  5. noun
    a cutaneous sensation often resulting from light stroking
    see moresee less
    type of:
    cutaneous sensation, haptic sensation, skin sensation
    a sensation localized on the skin
Pronunciation
US
/ˈtɪkəl/
UK
/ˈtɪkəl/
Cite this entry
Style:
MLA
  • MLA
  • APA
  • Chicago

Copy citation
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘tickle'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family