rattle

B2 Topic:Actions & Processes

Also spelled rattlin

US /ˈɹæ.təl/ See IPA manual

Freq #9672

Meanings

1

verb
To make short, sharp knocking sounds, often by shaking.

The windows rattled in the strong wind.
2

verb
To make someone feel nervous or worried.

The tough questions clearly rattled the speaker.
3

verb
To talk quickly for a long time (usually with on or away).

She rattled on about her holiday for an hour.

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Multiword verbs with rattle

rattle off Phrasal verb B2

to recite information quickly and easily

Thesaurus

Synonyms

2 verb · to make someone feel... unsettle

Word family

Forms rattledrattlesrattling

Derived forms antirattleberattledeath-rattlerattle-freerattlebackrattlebagrattleboxrattlebrainrattlebrainedrattlebushrattleheadrattleheaded

Related forms clapperclatter jingle rumbleruttle

Appears in

Phrases (1)

See all

rattle off
to recite information quickly and easily

Verb + adverb

Etymology

From Middle English ratelen, of uncertain origin; perhaps borrowed from Middle Dutch ratelen or of native origin related to Old English hratele, hrætele (“a plant known for its rustling or rattling sound”), ultimately imitative. The noun (c. 1500) is from the verb.

ratelen Middle Dutch

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Actions & Processes

External links

# rattle

**Type:** Word
**Level:** B2
**Part of speech:** verb
**IPA (US):** /ˈɹæ.təl/
**Frequency rank:** 9672

## Meanings
1. To make short, sharp knocking sounds, often by shaking.
2. To make someone feel nervous or worried.
3. To talk quickly for a long time (usually with on or away).

## Examples
- The windows rattled in the strong wind.
- The tough questions clearly rattled the speaker.
- She rattled on about her holiday for an hour.

## Derived Forms
- antirattle
- berattle
- death-rattle
- rattle-free
- rattleback
- rattlebag
- rattlebox
- rattlebrain
- rattlebrained
- rattlebush
- rattlehead
- rattleheaded

## Related Forms
- clapper
- clatter
- jingle
- rumble
- ruttle

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: ratelen

## Etymology
From Middle English ratelen, of uncertain origin; perhaps borrowed from Middle Dutch ratelen or of native origin related to Old English hratele, hrætele (“a plant known for its rustling or rattling sound”), ultimately imitative. The noun (c. 1500) is from the verb.

## AI Etymology
Rattle comes from Middle English ratelen, of uncertain origin; perhaps borrowed from Middle Dutch ratelen or of native origin related to Old English hratele, hrætele (“a plant known for its rustling or rattling sound”), ultimately imitative. The noun (c. 1500) is from the verb. Modern senses include to make short, sharp knocking sounds, often by shaking. and to make someone feel nervous or worried.. The wider word family includes derivatives such as antirattle, berattle, death-rattle, rattle-free, rattleback, and rattlebag and related forms such as clapper, clatter, jingle, and rumble.

## Topics
- Actions & Processes

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