How to pronounce tinkle
Say it like TING-kul. Tinkle has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TING).
- TING
- kul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tinkle pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- TINGSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- kulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of tinkle
American and British speakers say tinkle in essentially the same way: /ˈtɪŋkəl/ in the US and /ˈtɪŋkəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: TING-kul.
What does tinkle mean?
- A light metallic sound, resembling the tinkling of bells or wind chimes.
- A telephone call.“Give me a tinkle when you arrive.”
- An act of urination.
- To make light metallic sounds, rather like a very small bell.“The glasses tinkled together as they were placed on the table.”
- To cause to tinkle.
- To indicate, signal, etc. by tinkling.“The butler tinkled dinner.”
Where does tinkle come from?
From Middle English tinclen, equivalent to tink + -le (frequentative suffix).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with tinkle
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of tinkle.
Questions about saying tinkle
How do you pronounce tinkle?
Say TING-kul. The American pronunciation is /ˈtɪŋkəl/. In British English it is /ˈtɪŋkəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in tinkle?
Tinkle has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TING). Broken into parts: TING · kul.
Do Americans and Brits say tinkle the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈtɪŋkəl/ and the British form is /ˈtɪŋkəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.