rattle
/ˈræt.əl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈræt̬.əl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈra-tᵊl/ (ame, mw) · /ˈrætl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈrætl/ (ame, ipa)
rattle — noun
- rattlesingular
- rattlesplural
1. a quick series of short, sharp sounds that you hear when hard objects hit each o
a quick series of short, sharp sounds that you hear when hard objects hit each other repeatedly — like the noise of shaking a box of pebbles
The old window made a loud rattle whenever the wind blew through the gap.
rattle made by [object] when [force] hits it
From the kitchen came the rattle of dishes as Mei-Lin washed them after dinner.
the rattle of [plural objects]
A sudden rattle from the car engine told Diego that something was loose inside.
Clara heard the familiar rattle of the mail slot and ran to collect the letters.
The rattle of the train on the metal tracks kept Theo awake during the night.
文法句型
the rattle of [noun]
用法筆記
This sense is typically singular or uncountable — you say 'a rattle' or 'the rattle of something,' but not 'rattles' for this meaning.
常見錯誤
2. a plaything for babies that makes a short sharp noise when it is shaken, usually
a plaything for babies that makes a short sharp noise when it is shaken, usually shaped like a small container on a handle
The baby giggled every time she shook her bright yellow rattle during playtime.
shake a rattle
Amir bought a soft cloth rattle with a tiny bell inside for his newborn niece.
A wooden rattle painted like a smiling bear sat on the nursery shelf for the new baby.
Grandma watched the infant grab the rattle and wave it around with delight.
Linh's little brother would not let go of his plastic rattle even during his nap.
- baby toy
a general term — any toy for babies, not specifically one that makes a sound when shaken
3. a hand-held object that you spin or turn to create a loud series of knocking sou
a hand-held object that you spin or turn to create a loud series of knocking sounds, often used at sports events or celebrations
Fans waved wooden rattles at the football stadium to cheer on their home team.
The carnival vendor sold brightly painted plastic rattles that spun with a loud clatter.
spin a rattle / the rattle spun
Kwame showed his daughter how to hold the rattle by its handle and twist it to make noise.
Traditional wooden rattles are still used during the spring festival parade in the village.
The referee ended the game, and fans shook their red and white rattles in celebration.
- noisemaker
any device that makes a loud sound for celebrations — includes whistles, horns, and rattles
- clicker
a small plastic toy that clicks when squeezed; different mechanism from a rattle
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 2 (BABY TOY): this rattle is a noisemaker for older children and adults, found at sporting events. It has a gear mechanism that produces a clicking sound when spun.
4. the horny segments found at the tip of a rattlesnake — they knock together to cr
the horny segments found at the tip of a rattlesnake — they knock together to create a dry buzzing noise that warns other animals to stay away
The rattlesnake lifted its tail and shook the rattle as a clear warning to the hiker.
shake the rattle (of a rattlesnake)
Each time a rattlesnake sheds its old skin, one more ring is added to its tail rattle.
Zara studied the dry, hollow segments of the snake's rattle under a magnifying glass.
A dry buzzing rattle from the bushes made the campers freeze and step back slowly.
The number of rings on a rattlesnake's rattle does not tell you the snake's exact age.
用法筆記
Subject is almost always 'rattlesnake' or the name of a species. The rattle grows by one segment each time the snake sheds its skin, but the number of segments is not a reliable measure of age.
常見錯誤
rattle — verb
- rattlepresent simple I / you / we / they
- rattleshe / she / it
- rattledpast simple
- rattling-ing form
1. to make someone feel suddenly worried, frightened, or less confident, often inte
to make someone feel suddenly worried, frightened, or less confident, often interrupting their ability to stay calm or focused
The unexpected question during the interview rattled Sofia and she lost her train of thought.
Nothing seems to rattle Dr. Chen — she stays calm even in the busiest emergency room.
nothing rattles [someone]
The team looked visibly rattled after losing three key players to injuries in one week.
The candidate's calm smile rattled the interviewer, who had expected a nervous college graduate.
Do not let their harsh comments rattle your confidence — keep doing your best every day.
- calm
to make someone feel relaxed and quiet
文法句型
rattle someone
be rattled by something
用法筆記
Frequently used in the passive voice ('I was rattled by the news'). The subject that causes the feeling can be a person, an event, or a situation. Only this verb sense takes a human object.
常見錯誤
2. to produce or cause something to produce a series of short, sharp sounds as it m
to produce or cause something to produce a series of short, sharp sounds as it moves, shakes, or is hit — for example, cups trembling during an earthquake, or an old engine vibrating
The old bus rattled along the bumpy country road every morning at six o'clock.
rattle + adverb/preposition (rattle along, rattle over, rattle through)
Nora rattled the ice cubes in her glass to get the waiter's attention across the room.
The loose window frame rattled loudly whenever a heavy truck drove past the house.
Eli rattled the heavy iron gate to see if the lock was secure before climbing over it.
A strong wind rattled the dry autumn leaves across the pavement outside the library.
文法句型
rattle [adverb/preposition]
rattle something
用法筆記
Can be used intransitively (The engine rattles) or transitively (She rattled the door handle). Common with adverbs of motion such as 'along', 'over', 'through', and 'past'.