What does tickle mean?
Tickle is a familiar English word with both a physical and a figurative meaning. As a verb, it usually means to touch or move lightly on someone's skin in a way that causes tingling, giggles, or laughter. It can also mean to excite someone's curiosity or appeal to their imagination, as in the established phrase 'tickle someone's fancy.' As a noun, a tickle refers to the sensation produced by such touching or, informally, to something amusing or appealing. The word is especially associated with playfulness and childhood games, but its figurative use is common in conversation and informal writing. Its vocabulary value lies in its vivid combination of sensory description and emotional suggestion: one can tickle the body with a feather or the mind with an intriguing idea. The related adjective 'ticklish' describes someone who is easily moved to laughter or who may react sensitively to touch.
To touch or move lightly on someone's skin so as to cause a tingling sensation or laughter; informally, to excite someone's interest or imagination.
"The playful dog tickled the child with its nose."
The figurative meaning is informal and often appears in expressions such as 'tickle someone's fancy.'
An act or sensation of tickling; an amusing or appealing quality.
"The soft brush gave her a pleasant tickle along her arm."
The plural is used for separate instances or sensations of tickling.
"The feather sent a series of tickles down his arm."
Tickle can describe a feather making you laugh and, figuratively, a thought that excites your curiosity.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does tickle come from?
The word descends from Middle English forms such as 'tikelen,' used for touching lightly or causing a tickling sensation. It belongs to a Germanic family of words associated with touching or moving lightly, and the modern meanings developed from this basic physical sense. The related forms 'ticklish' and the noun 'tickle' were established within English and continue to reflect the word's associations with touch, sensation, and amusement.
Related word forms
How tickle is actually used
The physical sense is common in everyday speech. The meaning 'to appeal to or excite someone's interest' is informal and is especially familiar in expressions such as 'tickle someone's fancy.' The noun is less frequent than the verb and is often used in the singular for a momentary sensation or amusing quality.
Easily confused with tickle
A tick is a light touch or click, whereas a tickle is the sensation or laughter produced by playful touching.