What does tickling mean?
Tickling means touching or stroking someone lightly, usually on a sensitive part of the body, in a way that causes an itching or tingling sensation and often provokes laughter or squirming. It can also describe a similar sensation caused by something else, such as a feather, a breeze, or a strand of hair. In figurative use, tickling refers to gently arousing curiosity, interest, or amusement, as when a surprising story “tickles” the imagination or an unusual idea “tickles” someone's fancy. The word commonly conveys playful intimacy or teasing, though the physical action can be annoying or distressing when it is imposed on someone. In British and American English, tickling is used broadly in everyday speech and informal writing, while figurative expressions add a light, humorous tone to otherwise serious subjects.
To touch or stroke someone lightly in a way that causes a tickling sensation, often making them laugh or squirm; figuratively, to arouse curiosity, interest, or amusement.
"He tried not to tickle her while she was trying to concentrate."
The physical sense is often playful but may be unwelcome. Figurative uses are commonly gentle and humorous.
The sensation or act of tickling, especially a light itching or tingling feeling.
"She tried to hide the tickling in her feet."
The noun is usually uncountable in ordinary use; plural forms are rare.
Rare; the noun is normally used in the singular or uncountably.
"The soft feather created a series of gentle ticklings that made him giggle."
Tickling is a little paradox of the senses: a gentle touch can provoke laughter, even when the person being tickled would rather it did not.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does tickling come from?
Tickling is the gerund and nominal form of the English verb tickle, a word recorded in Middle English. The deeper origin of tickle is uncertain, and its sound may be imitative of a light, repeated touch. Related forms include ticklish, meaning easily tickled or sensitive to tickling, and the rare variant kittle, meaning to tickle.
How tickling is actually used
In its physical sense, tickling is usually playful but can be unwelcome, particularly when someone is vulnerable or unable to object. Its figurative sense is less common and often appears in expressions such as “tickle someone's fancy” or “tickle someone's curiosity.”
Easily confused with tickling
Tickling is the action or sensation of being touched lightly in a sensitive spot, whereas ticklish describes a person or body part that is easily affected by such a touch.
A prickling sensation is often sharp or stinging, while tickling specifically involves a light, teasing touch that commonly causes laughter or an itching feeling.