tickle

To touch someone lightly in a way that makes them laugh or move suddenly.

• Don't tickle me!
• She tickled the baby's feet.
• The feather tickles my neck.

Common phrases: tickle someone, tickle someone's feet, tickle someone's belly

If a part of your body does this, it feels slightly itchy.

• My nose tickles.
• Her throat tickled whenever she breathed in.
• Do your feet tickle inside those wool socks?

Similar words: itch

Common phrases: nose can tickle, throat may tickle

To make someone feel pleased or amused.

• His silly joke tickled me.
• She was tickled pink by the surprise.
• Does anything on the menu tickle your fancy?

How to use it: be tickled by something (She was tickled by his unexpected reply.); be tickled to do something (I was tickled to receive their invitation.)

Similar words: amuse, delight, please

Opposites: displease

Common phrases: tickle someone's fancy, tickle someone pink

A light touch that makes someone laugh or move suddenly.

• Dad gave me a tickle.
• A tickle on her feet made the baby laugh.
• He woke his brother with a gentle tickle.

Common phrases: give a tickle, gentle tickle, little tickle

A slight itchy feeling, especially in your throat, that can make you cough.

• I have a tickle in my throat.
• A sip of water stopped the tickle.
• That annoying tickle kept making her cough.

How to use it: a tickle in something (I felt a tickle in my nose.)

Similar words: itch, irritation

Common phrases: a throat tickle, persistent tickle, tickle in something