rattle

Meaning

Verb

1. (ergative, transitive) To create a rattling sound by shaking or striking.
2. (figuratively, informal, transitive) To scare, startle, unsettle, or unnerve.
3. (intransitive) To make a rattling noise; to make noise by or from shaking.
4. (obsolete, transitive) To assail, annoy, or stun with a rattling noise.
5. (obsolete, transitive) To scold; to rail at.
6. To drive or ride briskly, so as to make a clattering.
7. To make a clatter with one's voice; to talk rapidly and idly; often with on or away.
8. (UK, slang) To experience withdrawal from drugs.

Noun

1. (countable, uncountable) Object that rattles.
2. (countable, uncountable) Object that rattles.
3. (countable, uncountable) Object that rattles.
4. (countable, uncountable) Object that rattles.
5. (countable, uncountable) Object that rattles.
6. (countable, onomatopoeic, uncountable) Rattling sound.
7. (archaic, countable, uncountable) Rattling sound.
8. (archaic, uncountable) Rattling sound.
9. (countable, uncountable) Rattling sound.
10. (countable, obsolete, uncountable) Rattling sound.
11. (countable, uncountable) Rattling sound.

Noun

Alternative form of rottol: a former Middle Eastern and North African unit of dry weight usually equal to 1–5 lb (0.5–2.5 kg).

Synonyms

clatter

chatter

rumble

jingle

shake

🫨

tinkle

clank

rattling

clang

thunder

🌩️

knock

ring

💍

clink

jar

🫙

click

crackle

crack

sound

🔉

jangle

clack

tap

snap

clapper

🎬

clap

👏

prattle

jerk

vibrate

clash

jolt

brattle

bump

sway

rustle

rock

🪨

roar

roll

shiver

swing

quiver

pitapat

rale

noise

crash

oscillate

bounce

quake

din

peal

rap

blabber

Translations

hochet

sonajero

Rassel

chocalho

🔔

κουδουνίστρα

matraca

klappern

sonaglio

🔔

cliquetis

cliqueter

crécelle

rammelaar

klappen

👏

Klapper

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈɹæ.təl/

Etymology

Inherited from Old English: hratele

In summary

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.