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Ticklish: meaning, definitions and examples

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ticklish

 

[ ˈtɪk.ɪl.ɪʃ ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

physical sensation

Ticklish refers to a sensitivity to light touches that can cause laughter or involuntary movements, often eliciting a giggle or squirm. This sensation can vary greatly among individuals. Some people may be extremely ticklish, while others may be not ticklish at all.

Synonyms

giggly, reactive, sensitive

Examples of usage

  • He is so ticklish that he can't stand being tickled.
  • The child's laughter revealed how ticklish she was.
  • I discovered my friend's ticklish spots when we were playing.
  • Ticklishness can vary with mood and situation.

Translations

Translations of the word "ticklish" in other languages:

🇵🇹 cosquento

🇮🇳 गुदगुदी वाला

🇩🇪 kitzlig

🇮🇩 geli

🇺🇦 піддатливий

🇵🇱 łaskotliwy

🇯🇵 くすぐったい

🇫🇷 chatouilleux

🇪🇸 cosquilloso

🇹🇷 gıdıklayıcı

🇰🇷 간지러운

🇸🇦 قابل للدغدغة

🇨🇿 ťukavý

🇸🇰 škriabavý

🇨🇳 痒痒的

🇸🇮 prijeten

🇮🇸 kítandi

🇰🇿 қытық

🇬🇪 ბზარი

🇦🇿 qıcıqlanan

🇲🇽 cosquilloso

Word origin

The word 'ticklish' is derived from the verb 'tickle,' which itself has roots in the late Middle English word 'ticklen.' The term is believed to originate from the Old Norse word 'tikla,' meaning 'to touch lightly' or 'to touch humorously.' The suffix '-ish' is added to form the adjective, indicating a quality of being easily affected or sensitive to being touched. The concept of being ticklish has been prevalent in various cultures, often associated with playfulness and laughter. The association of ticklishness with laughter highlights its social aspects, where physical touch serves as a means of bonding and interaction. Over the centuries, the understanding of ticklishness has evolved, leading to various theories about its psychological and physiological underpinnings.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #28,808, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.