What does tingled mean?
Tingled is the past tense and past participle of tingle, and it can describe either a physical sensation or an emotional response. In its literal sense, a person’s skin tingles when it feels prickled, warm, or electrically charged, as from cold air or a mild shock. In figurative use, something or someone tingled when the experience produced excitement, anticipation, or nervous energy: “The idea of the trip tingled with excitement.” The word is especially natural for sensations that combine a physical response with strong feeling, such as a child tingled at the sight of a birthday present. It is common in both British and American English, though formal writing may prefer more precise alternatives like prickled, thrilled, or stirred. Because “tingled” also conveys a slight, lively spark, it is often stronger and more vivid than merely felt. Its usefulness lies in linking bodily sensation and emotional arousal, making it effective for descriptions of anticipation as well as literal skin sensations.
verbTingled is the past tense and past participle of tingle. It describes experiencing a prickling or shimmering physical sensation, especially in the skin, or feeling a surge of excitement, anticipation, or nervous energy.
- Experienced a prickling, shimmering, or slightly charged physical sensation, especially in the skin.
- Felt a surge of excitement, anticipation, or nervous energy.
"Her fingertips tingled as she stepped out into the cold morning air."
"A faint current made his lips tingle."
"By the time the music began, the entire audience tingled with excitement."
A tingling can be physical, emotional, or both: “tingled with anticipation” captures the way excitement can feel like electricity.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does tingled come from?
Tingled is the past tense and past participle of tingle. The English verb tingle is medieval in origin and was used for a pricking or tingling sensation, although its precise source is not as securely established as its modern meaning. Thus, tingled is a regular inflection of an English verb rather than a separate noun or adjective.
Related word forms
How tingled is actually used
Common in descriptive and literary English for vivid physical or emotional reactions. It is less common in precise technical writing, where a more specific term may be preferable.
Easily confused with tingled
Tingled describes a prickling sensation or a feeling of excitement, whereas tinkled describes a light, metallic ringing sound.