How to pronounce tickle
Say it like TIK-ul. Tickle has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TIK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce tickle. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- TIK
- ul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tickle pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- TIKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- ulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of tickle
American and British speakers say tickle in essentially the same way: /ˈtɪkəl/ in the US and /ˈtɪkəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: TIK-ul.
What does tickle mean?
- The act of tickling.
- An itchy feeling resembling the result of tickling.“I have a persistent tickle in my throat.”
- A light tap of the ball.
- To touch repeatedly or stroke delicately in a manner which typically causes laughter, pleasure and twitching.“He tickled Nancy's tummy, and she started to giggle.”
- To feel as if the body part in question is being tickled.“My nose tickles, and I'm going to sneeze!”
- To appeal to someone's taste, curiosity etc.
- Insecurely, precariously, unstably.
Where does tickle come from?
Alternatively, from a metathetic alteration of Middle English kitelen ("to tickle"; see kittle).
Words that rhyme with tickle
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of tickle.
Questions about saying tickle
How do you pronounce tickle?
Say TIK-ul. The American pronunciation is /ˈtɪkəl/. In British English it is /ˈtɪkəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in tickle?
Tickle has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TIK). Broken into parts: TIK · ul.
Do Americans and Brits say tickle the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈtɪkəl/ and the British form is /ˈtɪkəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.