Rattle — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈra-tᵊl/ rat·tle

Meaning & Definition of Rattle

Rattle (verb)

  1. to make a rapid succession of short sharp noises
  2. to chatter incessantly and aimlessly
  3. to move with a clatter or rattle; also, to be or move about in a place or station too large or grand
  4. to furnish with ratlines

Rattle (noun)

  1. a device that produces a rattle; specifically, a case containing pellets used as a baby's toy
  2. the sound-producing organ on a rattlesnake's tail
  3. a rapid succession of sharp clattering sounds

Rattle (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. loud, confused, and usually inharmonious sound

    "I'd go nuts if I had to endure the rattle of that bottling plant every day"

    similar: babel, blare, bluster, bowwow, brawl, bruit (archaic), cacophony, chatter, clamor, clangor, decibel(s), din, discordance, katzenjammer, noise, racket, roar
    related: discord, dissonance, commotion, furor, hubbub, hullabaloo, hurly-burly, rumpus, tumult, uproar, clatter, jangle, bang, blast, boom, clap, crack, crash
    opposite: quiet, silence, silentness, still, stillness
    near: calm, hush, lull, quietude, serenity, tranquility

Rattle (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to make a series of short sharp noises

    "the children tromped through the kitchen, making the plates on the shelf rattle"

    similar: clack, clatter
    related: chink, chirp, clank, click, clink, clang, clash, crash, spatter, sputter, racket, clip-clop, clop, clop-clop

  2. to engage in casual or rambling conversation

    "busily rattling away about our vacation plans, we didn't listen to the announcements and missed our flight"

    similar: babble, blab, cackle, chaffer (British), chat, chatter, chin (slang), converse, gab, gabble, gas, jabber, jaw, kibitz, natter, palaver, patter, prate, prattle, rap, run on, schmooze, talk, twitter, visit, blow smoke, chew the fat, shoot the breeze, talk a blue streak
    related: gossip, tattle, descant, discuss, expatiate, yak, yammer, yap

  3. to talk at length without sticking to a topic or getting to a point

    "she rattled on and on about all her European shopping trips, but I wasn't really listening"

    similar: blather (on), go on, maunder, ramble, run on, run one's mouth
    related: deviate, digress, stray, wander, sidetrack, blab, blabber, blither, bumble, burble, chat, chatter, drivel, drool, gab, gabble, gibber, jabber, patter, prate, prattle, waffle

  4. to throw into a state of self-conscious distress

    "don't let a little mistake rattle you while you're playing during the piano recital"

    similar: abash, confound, confuse, discomfit, disconcert, discountenance, embarrass, faze, fluster, mortify, nonplus
    related: agitate, bother, chagrin, discomfort, discompose, dismay, disquiet, distress, disturb, perturb, put off, put out, unhinge, unsettle, upset, debase, degrade, demean, humble, humiliate, queer, shame
    near: calm, comfort, console, relieve, soothe, buoy, cheer, embolden, encourage, hearten, assure, reassure

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Rattle

The most common words with a similar meaning to Rattle:

Archaic: bruit
British: chaffer
Slang: chin
babel, blare, bluster, bowwow, brawl, cacophony, chatter, clamor, clangor, decibel(s), din, discordance, katzenjammer, noise, racket, roar, clack, clatter, babble, blab, cackle, chat, converse, gab, gabble, gas, jabber, jaw, kibitz, natter, palaver, patter, prate, prattle, rap, run on, schmooze, talk, twitter, visit

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Rattle

Words with the opposite meaning of Rattle:

quiet, silence, silentness, still, stillness

Related Words for Rattle

discord, dissonance, commotion, furor, hubbub, hullabaloo, hurly-burly, rumpus, tumult, uproar, jangle, bang, blast, boom, clap, crack, crash, chink, chirp, clank, click, clink, clang, clash, spatter, sputter, clip-clop, clop, clop-clop, gossip

Near Antonyms of Rattle

calm, hush, lull, quietude, serenity, tranquility, comfort, console, relieve, soothe, buoy, cheer, embolden, encourage, hearten, assure, reassure

Word Forms of Rattle

Inflections: rattled, rattling

Origin & Etymology of Rattle

Middle English ratelen; akin to Middle Dutch ratel rattle

First known use: 14th centuryi

Words & Phrases Containing Rattle

rattle around, rattle off, rattle on, rattle someone's cage, rattle through, death rattle

Frequently Asked Questions about Rattle

What does "Rattle" mean?

"Rattle" means to make a rapid succession of short sharp noises. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to make a rapid succession of short sharp noises. It has 5 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Rattle"?

Other words for "Rattle" include babel, blare, bluster, bowwow, brawl, bruit, cacophony and chatter. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Rattle" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Rattle"?

There are 135 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Rattle". Common alternatives include babel, blare, bluster, bowwow, brawl, bruit, cacophony, chatter, clamor and clangor.

What is the opposite of "Rattle"?

Antonyms of "Rattle" include quiet, silence, silentness, still and stillness. Near antonyms include calm, hush, lull and quietude.

How do you use "Rattle" in a sentence?

Examples of "Rattle" in a sentence: "I'd go nuts if I had to endure the rattle of that bottling plant every day"; "the children tromped through the kitchen, making the plates on the shelf rattle"; "busily rattling away about our vacation plans, we didn't listen to the announcements and missed our flight".

Is "Rattle" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Rattle" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Rattle"?

"Rattle" is pronounced /ˈra-tᵊl/ and divided into syllables as rat·tle.

What is the origin of the word "Rattle"?

"Rattle" comes from Middle English ratelen; akin to Middle Dutch ratel rattle. First known use: 14th centuryi.