Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Quick and energetic; brisk, lively: Describes something done with speed and vigor.
   • Extraordinarily good or great; fantastic, tremendous: Used as an intensifier to emphasize high quality or degree.

2. Adverb:

   • Very, really: Used informally as an intensifier, meaning to a great degree.

3. Noun:

   • A rapid series of short, loud sounds: A succession of quick, sharp noises, often associated with specific physical conditions.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • They set off at a rattling pace. (They started moving very quickly and energetically.)
  • We had a rattling conversation about art. (We had an extraordinarily good and lively conversation.)
• Adverb:
  • That was a rattling good story. (That was a very good story.)
• Noun:
  • The doctor listened for a rattling in the patient's chest. (The doctor listened for a series of rapid, short sounds.)

Advanced Usage

• "a rattling good...": A common informal phrase used to intensify a positive description.
  • He told us a rattling good yarn about his adventures. (He told us a very entertaining story.)

Variants and Related Words

• Rattle (verb): To make a rapid series of short, sharp sounds.
  • The windows rattle in the wind.
• Rattle (noun): A toy or instrument that makes a rattling sound; also, the sound itself.
  • The baby shook the rattle.

Synonyms

• Adjective (lively): Brisk, energetic, snappy, spanking.
• Adjective (excellent): Fantastic, marvelous, tremendous, superb.
• Adverb: Very, really, exceptionally.
• Noun: Clatter, racket.

Related Phrases

• Rattle on: To talk quickly and at length, often about unimportant things.
  • He would rattle on about his collection for hours.
• Rattle through something: To do something very quickly.
  • She rattled through her presentation.

Adjective

1. quick and energetic
   • a brisk walk in the park
   • a lively gait
   • a merry chase
   • traveling at a rattling rate
   • a snappy pace
   • a spanking breeze
2. extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
   • a fantastic trip to the Orient
   • the film was fantastic!
   • a howling success
   • a marvelous collection of rare books
   • had a rattling conversation about politics
   • a tremendous achievement

Adverb

1. used as intensifiers; `real' is sometimes used informally for `really'; `rattling' is informal
   • she was very gifted
   • he played very well
   • a really enjoyable evening
   • I'm real sorry about it
   • a rattling good yarn

Noun

1. a rapid series of short loud sounds (as might be heard with a stethoscope in some types of respiratory disorders)
   • the death rattle