Meaning & use
tinkles
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“tinkles” is a form of “tinkle”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbintransitive
Makes a series of light, high ringing sounds like small bells or glass.
Grammar: No object; the thing itself makes the sound: The bell tinkles.
Patterns
- something tinkles
- tinkles softly
The little bell on the door tinkles every time someone enters.
Ice tinkles in the glass when you stir it.
A wind chime tinkles gently outside the window.
verbtransitive
Causes something to make a light ringing sound by hitting or shaking it.
Grammar: Takes an object: She tinkles the keys.
Patterns
- tinkles something
- tinkles the keys
He tinkles the coins in his pocket while he waits.
She tinkles the spoon against the cup to get attention.
verbintransitivechild languageinformal
Urinates. Used mainly by or to young children.
Grammar: No object; a child might say 'I need to tinkle'.
Patterns
- need to tinkle
- go tinkle
The toddler said he needed to tinkle.
Mom, I have to tinkle!
Word forms
| base form | tinkle |
|---|---|
| past tense | tinkled |
| past participle | tinkled |
| -ing form | tinkling |
Common combinations
- tinkle softly
- The tiny bells tinkle softly in the breeze.
- tinkle in the glass
- The ice cubes tinkle in the glass.
- tinkle of a bell
- I heard the tinkle of a bell in the distance.
- tinkle with laughter
- Her voice tinkles with laughter.
Synonyms and how they differ
Word family
- tinkle noun
- A light ringing sound.
- tinkly adjective
- Making a light ringing sound.
Commonly confused: tinkles or twinkle?
tinkles vs twinkle
Twinkle means to shine with a light that flickers, like a star; tinkle is about sound.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'tinkles' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Tinkles' is intransitive here, so the bell itself makes the sound. Option 1 wrongly gives it an object, and options 2 and 3 use unsuitable adverbs or prepositions.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “tinkles”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.