# tickle the ivories

> English word · Verb · IPA /ˌtikl̩ ðiː ˈaɪv(ə)ɹiz/

## Definitions
1. To play a piano or other keyboard instrument.

## Etymology
From tickle (“to touch (something) lightly”) + the + ivories (“(informal) keys of a piano or other keyboard instrument”) (from the fact that such keys used to be made from ivory).

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/tickle-the-ivories