# ivory tickler

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/ivory-tickler
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A pianist

## Examples

- The ivory tickler played a beautiful song at the party.
- The jazz club hired a talented ivory tickler to perform every Friday night for the guests.
- As the lights dimmed, the seasoned ivory tickler sat at the grand piano and began a haunting melody that silenced the entire concert hall.

## Origin

Derived from the verb phrase *tickle the ivories*, an idiom first recorded in the late 19th century in reference to the material used for piano keys. The term designates a pianist by way of the gentle, dexterous touch required to produce music from ivory veneers.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.