Word
rattle
Phoneticsrat·tle, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɹætəɫ/
UK/ɹˈætəl/
Definition
v. to make a series of short, sharp knocking sounds. You can also use it to describe making someone feel nervous or worried.
v. to emit a rapid succession of short, percussive sounds through vibration or movement; figuratively, to disconcert or unnerve someone.
Examples
“The old windows rattle whenever a large truck drives past.”
“The sudden change in the exam format seemed to rattle the students, who had prepared for a different style of question.”
“Loose stones began to rattle against the underside of the car as we transitioned from the paved highway to the neglected mountain track.”
Examples
simple
“The old windows rattle whenever a large truck drives past.”
contextual
“The sudden change in the exam format seemed to rattle the students, who had prepared for a different style of question.”
complex
“Loose stones began to rattle against the underside of the car as we transitioned from the paved highway to the neglected mountain track.”
Usage
Can be used intransitively for the sound or transitively when meaning to make someone nervous.
Pitfall
The noise rattled to me.
The noise rattled me.
When used to mean 'make nervous', the verb is transitive and takes a direct object without a preposition.
Etymology
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.
From Arabic رَطْل (raṭl), variant of classical رِطْل (riṭl), ultimately from Ancient Greek λίτρα (lítra). Doublet of liter.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Idioms
01. rattle off
02. rattle through
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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