Jangly
/ˈdʒæŋ.ɡli/noun
Having a harsh, tinkling, or discordant ringing sound.
Did you know?Jangly is an onomatopoeic formation, meaning English basically built the word to imitate clattering metal, so its power comes from sound-symbolism rather than a hidden ancient root.
Etymological Timeline
Late 16th Century
English
jangle
“To make a harsh, discordant ringing sound; to quarrel noisily.”
17th Century
English
jangly
“Characterized by or resembling a jangle; having a harsh, tinkling sound.”
Modern English
English
jangly
“Having a rough, metallic, or discordant ringing quality.”
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ǵeng-
“No established direct derivation for jangly; its form is generally treated as expressive/imitative rather than inherited.”