intransitive verb

1
: to make a light clinking or tinkling sound
2
: to rhyme or sound in a catchy repetitious manner

transitive verb

: to cause to jingle

jingle

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: a light clinking or tinkling sound
b
: a catchy repetition of sounds in a poem
2
a
: something that jingles
b
: a short verse or song marked by catchy repetition

Examples of jingle in a Sentence

Verb Bells jingled in the distance. She jingled the coins in her pocket. Noun I heard the jingle of bells. the jingle of change in my pocket
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
The video includes footage of a set of handcuffs and chains jingling as they are pulled from a basket containing other shackles and then laid out on the airport tarmac next to four other sets of restraints. Dan Mangan, CNBC, 18 Feb. 2025 The Decca Christmas Recordings jingles 19-15, surpassing its prior No. 17 high – and marking a new best rank for Lee over her 61-plus-year span of appearing on the chart. Jim Asker, Billboard, 31 Dec. 2024
Noun
Many send in videos of their kids singing the jingle. Lane Sainty, The Arizona Republic, 22 Dec. 2024 Along with busying themselves doing studio work for commercial ad jingles and sessions with Ben E. King, Roy Ayers and Esther Phillips, Alomar played as part of the Apollo Theater’s house band. A.d. Amorosi, Variety, 7 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for jingle

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English ginglen, of imitative origin

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of jingle was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Jingle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jingle. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

jingle

1 of 2 verb
: to make or cause to make a light clinking sound
coins jingled in their pockets

jingle

2 of 2 noun
1
: a light clinking sound
2
: a catchy repetition of sounds in a poem
3
: a verse or song marked by catchy repetition

More from Merriam-Webster on jingle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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