tickle
/'tikl/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun:
- The act of tickling: A light, repetitive touch that causes a tingling or itching sensation, often leading to laughter or squirming.
- A cutaneous sensation: The feeling of light stroking or itching on the skin that provokes a desire to laugh or scratch.
Verb:
- To touch or stroke lightly: To apply a light, gentle touch to a part of the body, typically to produce a tingling sensation or laughter.
- To feel a sudden intense sensation or emotion: To experience a sudden, sharp feeling of excitement, pleasure, or amusement.
- To excite the surface nerves: To touch a body part lightly in a way that stimulates nerves, causing uneasiness, laughter, or involuntary movements.
Examples of Usage
Noun:
- The baby burst into giggles from a gentle tickle on her feet.
- I felt a tickle in my throat before I started coughing.
Verb:
- Please don't tickle me; I'm very sensitive!
- The comedian's joke really tickled the audience.
- The idea of adventure tickled his imagination.
Advanced Usage
"to be tickled pink": To be extremely pleased or amused.
- She was tickled pink by the surprise birthday party.
"to tickle someone's fancy": To appeal to someone's imagination or sense of humor; to interest or attract someone.
- That unusual painting really tickles my fancy.
Variants and Related Words
Ticklish (adj): Sensitive to tickling; easily tickled. Also can mean requiring careful or delicate handling.
- He has very ticklish ribs.
- It's a ticklish situation that needs diplomacy.
Tickler (n): A person or thing that tickles. Also can refer to a reminder file or system.
- The feather was a perfect tickler.
Synonyms
- Tingle: To cause or feel a slight prickling or stinging sensation.
- Titillate: To excite or stimulate agreeably, often in a superficial way.
- Amuse: To cause someone to find something funny or entertaining.
Related Phrasal Verbs
(Note: "Tickle" does not commonly form phrasal verbs. Its meanings are typically expressed directly or through idiomatic phrases.)
Related Idioms
Tickle the ivories: To play the piano.
- At the party, he sat down to tickle the ivories.
Tickle your funny bone: To make you laugh.
- That silly video really tickled my funny bone.
Noun
- the act of tickling
- a cutaneous sensation often resulting from light stroking
Verb
- touch or stroke lightly
- The grass tickled her calves
- feel sudden intense sensation or emotion
- he was thrilled by the speed and the roar of the engine
- touch (a body part) lightly so as to excite the surface nerves and cause uneasiness, laughter, or spasmodic movements