Definition

1. Verb:
   • To make a light, ringing, clinking, or clattering sound, typically produced by the movement or collision of small, hard objects, especially metallic ones. This sound is often repetitive and somewhat discordant.

Usage

• The verb jingle-jangle is used to describe the specific, often chaotic sound made by loose metal objects like keys, coins, or jewelry when they are shaken, moved, or carried.
• It is an informal, onomatopoeic word that vividly evokes the sound it describes. It is often used to convey a sense of noise or a lack of quiet.
• It can be used both transitively (e.g., ) and intransitively (e.g., ).

Examples

• Verb (Intransitive):
  • The wind chimes on the porch began to jingle-jangle in the breeze.
  • Her charm bracelet would jingle-jangle with every step she took.
• Verb (Transitive):
  • The child happily jingle-jangled the bunch of keys.
  • He jingle-jangled the spare change in his pocket while he waited.

Advanced Usage

• The word can be used figuratively to describe a similar chaotic or discordant auditory effect in music, speech, or other contexts.
  • The song was a cacophony of sounds that just jingle-jangled in my ears.
• It can imply a sense of irritation caused by a repetitive, tinny noise.
  • The constant jingle-jangling of the loose pipe was driving me mad.

Variants and Related Words

• Jingle (verb/noun): To make or cause to make a light, ringing sound like that of small bells or metal. Often implies a more melodic or pleasant sound than "jingle-jangle."
  • The sleigh bells jingled.
• Jangle (verb/noun): To make a harsh, discordant, ringing sound. Often implies a more irritating noise.
  • The nerves jangled.
• Clink (verb/noun): To make a short, sharp, ringing sound, like glasses touching.
• Clatter (verb/noun): To make a continuous, hard, rattling sound.

Synonyms

• Clink
• Clatter
• Rattle
• Chink
• Tinkle

Related Phrases

• To jingle-jangle one's nerves: To irritate or set on edge (figurative).
  • The constant construction noise jingle-jangled my nerves all afternoon.

Verb

1. make a sound typical of metallic objects
   • The keys were jingling in his pocket