jingle

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a light, repeated ringing sound made when small metal or glass objects strike one another

   The jingle of keys announced that the caretaker was approaching.

2. 2
   verb

   to make or cause a light, repeated metallic ringing sound

   Coins began to jingle in his pocket as he ran.

3. 3
   noun

   a short, catchy song or verse, especially one used in advertising

   The radio jingle stayed in her head all afternoon.

The verb, recorded before the noun, comes from Middle English gyngle and is imitative of a light metallic ringing sound. It is related in sound and sense to jangle. The advertising-song sense developed from the older use for a short, simple, jingling verse.

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