rattle

To make quick knocking sounds by shaking something or hitting it against something else.

• He rattled his keys.
• The wind rattled the window all night.
• She rattled the box to hear what was inside.

Similar words: clatter

Common phrases: rattle the keys, rattle a tin, rattle the door

To travel quickly in a vehicle that makes repeated knocking sounds.

• The cart rattled past us.
• We rattled down the hill in an old bus.
• A train was rattling over the bridge.

How to use it: rattle along something (The old bus rattled along the narrow road.)

Similar words: clatter

Common phrases: rattle along, rattle past, rattle down something, rattle over something

To talk quickly for a long time, often about things that are not important.

• She rattled on for ages.
• He rattled away while I made dinner.
• Are you still rattling on about that party?

How to use it: rattle on about something (He rattled on about his neighbours.)

Similar words: chatter, prattle, babble

Common phrases: rattle on, rattle away, rattle on about something

A series of quick knocking sounds made by loose things shaking or hitting each other.

• I heard a rattle outside.
• There's a strange rattle coming from the engine.
• The loose windows made loud rattles in the wind.

Similar words: clatter, clattering

Common phrases: a loud rattle, a metallic rattle, an engine rattle, hear a rattle