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Glite Dictionary
tinkly

tinkly

1 5.0
Making a light high ringing sound like small bells
  • adjective
  • /ˈtɪŋkli/
translation icon : tintineante
  • Flaunting her collars with tinkly bells
  • a tinkly laugh
  • a tinkly sound
  • tinkly music

Examples

  • From somewhere within the wind comes the tinkly, syrupy-sweet sounds of the Lennon Sisters singing "My Favorite Things."

    Fiction book (1998)

  • Gone are the pretty, tinkly melodies, the gorgeous piano and synth arrangements.

    Blog text (6)

  • I left the lid open, and sitting on my bed, I could hear the tinkly silver music through the wall as I dialed the number.

    Fiction book (1990)

  • Three-quarters of a tan moon threw light on the water that spread like tinkly oil.

    Fiction book (1998)

  • "Let's sit here," Mom says, in a weird, tinkly voice, like she's trying to make it sound like such a good idea and so much fun.

    Fiction book (1999)

  • Gentle, tinkly music plays.

    Fiction book (2000)

  • Her skirts were long and swishy, and her earrings were tinkly silver bells.

    Fiction book (1996)

  • Rina swept Hannah up in her arms, then kissed her tummy, drawing out tinkly laughter.

    Fiction book (1995)

  • The tinkly sound of the wind chimes filled the air as we relaxed on the porch.

  • She played a tinkly melody on the piano that brightened everyone's mood.

Synonyms

jingly
vstinkly
1 4.4

A high ringing sound like small bells

is lighter and more delicate than this busier ringing
ringy
vstinkly
1 7.5

Sounds clear like a bell

is more specific and means a light high bell-like chime
tinkling
vstinkly
2.7

Making short, high ringing sounds like small bells

is lighter and softer like a gentle chime
jingling
vstinkly
2.9

Making light, high sounds like small bells

is lighter and less busy than this fuller ringing

How Tinkling

piercing
2 5.5
tinkly
1 5.0
clear
40 1.0
bright
17 3.8
soft
182 1.0

Surface Forms

tinkly positive

Morphology

tinkly = tinkle (transparent) = tinkle + y

Formed by adding the adjective-forming suffix '-y' to 'tinkle', so the meaning 'having a light ringing sound' is directly predictable.

Etymology

Tinkly comes from the sound word tinkle, which copies the tiny bell sound 'tink' that is short and bright. So tinkly means having a light, high ringing sound like small bells.