Tinkle
/ˈtɪŋ.kəl/noun
To make a light, ringing sound, or to urinate informally.
Did you know?Despite its modern cute vibe, tinkle belongs to an old English sound-symbolic family that also gave us words like tingle and tangle, showing how languages can build meaning from a shared buzzing, ringing sensation.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
tincian
“to make a ringing or tinkling sound”
Middle English
ME
tinklen
“to jingle or emit a light ringing sound”
15th Century
English
tinkle
“to make a small ringing noise”
19th Century
English
tinkle
“to urinate, especially informally”
Modern English
English
tinkle
“to make a light ringing sound or to urinate informally”