# tinkle

> English word · Verb · IPA /ˈtɪŋkəl/ · frequency rank #62,575

## Definitions
1. To make light metallic sounds, rather like a very small bell.
2. To cause to tinkle.
3. To indicate, signal, etc. by tinkling.
4. To hear, or resound with, a small, sharp sound.
5. To urinate.

## Etymology
From Middle English tinclen, equivalent to tink + -le (frequentative suffix). Cognate with West Frisian tinkelje (“to tinkle”), Dutch tinkelen (“to tinkle”), German Low German tinkeln (“to flicker, glitter, sparkle”).

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