tickle

/ˈtɪkl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈtɪkl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈti-kəl/ (ame, mw) · /ˈtɪk.əl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈtɪk.əl/ (ame, ipa)

tickle — verb

  • ticklepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • tickleshe / she / it
  • tickledpast simple
  • tickling-ing form

1. to move your fingertips quickly over someone's ribs, armpits, or other sensitive

1.動詞及物B1
釋義

to move your fingertips quickly over someone's ribs, armpits, or other sensitive spots, causing them to laugh or squirm

例句

Quan tickled his little sister until she begged him to stop.

tickle + person + until + clause

A feather brushed against Yasmin's neck and tickled her.

passive-like: tickled by [object]

同義詞
  • touch

    much broader — can mean any contact, not specifically to cause laughter

  • tease

    can mean playful physical touching but more often refers to verbal joking

文法句型

tickle + person/body part

tickle + person + until + clause

常見錯誤

❌I tickled her by making a funny face.
✅I tickled her under her arms.
💡In this sense, tickling is a physical touch action, not a way of entertaining someone with words or jokes.

2. a light prickly feeling on your skin that creates an urge to scratch or touch th

2.動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

a light prickly feeling on your skin that creates an urge to scratch or touch the spot, whether starting by itself or from a light brush against something

例句

My nose started to tickle, and then I sneezed three times.

intransitive: body part + tickle

The wool scarf tickled Asher's neck during the long walk.

transitive: object + tickles + body part

同義詞
  • itch

    stronger urge to scratch; tickle is lighter and often more surface-level

  • prickle

    sharper, more like tiny stings; tickle is softer

文法句型

tickle (intransitive) — body part + tickles

tickle (transitive) — something + tickles + body part

用法筆記

This sense works both transitively (The grass tickled her ankles) and intransitively (Her ankles tickled). The intransitive use focuses on the sensation itself rather than the cause. Not used for deep pain or strong itches.

常見錯誤

❌My foot is tickling because the shoe is too tight.
✅My foot is tickling because the grass is touching it lightly.
💡A tickling sensation is light and surface-level, not a deep pressure or pain.

3. to cause someone to feel amused or delighted, usually because something is surpr

3.動詞及物B2
釋義

to cause someone to feel amused or delighted, usually because something is surprising, clever, or charming in a gentle way

例句

The thought of the shy cat chasing a fierce dog tickled João.

[abstract idea] + tickles + person

It tickled Antonia to hear that her old teacher still remembered her name.

it tickles + person + to-infinitive

同義詞
  • amuse

    more general; tickle adds a playful, slightly unexpected quality

  • delight

    stronger, implies more joy; tickle is gentler

  • please

    broader, can refer to satisfaction; tickle is more about amusement

反義詞
  • offend

    tickle pleases; offend causes displeasure or anger

文法句型

something + tickles + person

person + be tickled + by + something

it tickles + person + to-infinitive

用法筆記

Often used in the passive voice (be tickled by). The subject is usually an idea, a situation, a remark, or someone's behaviour — not a person deliberately trying to amuse. Less intense than 'hysterical' or 'hilarious'; tickle suggests a quiet, pleasant amusement.

常見錯誤

❌The joke tickled him to go to the party.
✅The joke tickled him so much he could not stop smiling.
💡In this sense tickle does not mean 'cause someone to do something'; it only describes the emotional reaction of amusement.

tickle — noun