What does tickler mean?
Tickler has two linked uses. Most often as a noun, it means a question, issue, or problem that is difficult to answer or handle, especially one that keeps returning or makes planning awkward: “That scheduling conflict became a real tickler.” It can also mean a person or thing whose purpose is to tickle, often in playful contexts. As a verb, tickler means to tickle, normally lightly, producing a tingling sensation or laughter. The figurative noun sense is informal and can sound mildly wry rather than severe, suggesting an awkward or persistent nuisance rather than an overwhelming crisis. In more formal writing, “problem,” “issue,” or “question” may express the same idea plainly. The word’s double life makes it memorable: it can refer to the source of giggles or the source of a headache. The literal sense is less common in everyday use than the figurative one, but it remains standard in British and American English.
A person or thing that tickles; especially, an awkward, difficult, or persistent question, issue, or problem.
"The unexplained increase in costs was a troublesome tickler for the planners."
The sense meaning a difficult problem is informal and figurative; the literal sense is playful.
To tickle, especially lightly, so as to produce a tingling sensation or laughter.
"She tickled her younger brother until he squirmed and laughed."
The verb is playful and usually gentle; it can also describe persistent teasing.
The regular plural of the noun is used when referring to several people or things that tickle or several separate difficulties.
"The final ticklers were resolved before the meeting ended."
One word covers both the cause of giggles and the cause of a headache: an awkward question can be a genuine “tickler.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does tickler come from?
Tickler is an English formation from tickle with the suffix -er. The suffix can mark an agent or instrument, as in a person or thing that tickles, and the word is also used as a verb. The sense for an awkward question or problem is a figurative extension of the established English word.
Related word forms
How tickler is actually used
The figurative noun sense is informal and often mildly wry, describing an awkward or persistent nuisance rather than a catastrophic difficulty. The literal sense is playful and may imply affectionate or teasing behavior.
Easily confused with tickler
Tickle is the verb describing the act of producing a tingling or laughing sensation, while a tickler is the person or thing doing it or, figuratively, a difficult question or problem.