rattle

Fetched 2026-10-31 (live).

Synonyms: prattle, battle, attle, tattle, cattle, wattle, rattly, brattle, ruttle, nattle, ratte

Antonyms: prattle, battle, attle, tattle, cattle, wattle, rattly, brattle, ruttle, nattle, ratte

Related words from Datamuse; suggestions, not definitions.

Verb

1. To create a rattling sound by shaking or striking.
   • to rattle a chain
   • Rattle the can of cat treats if you need to find Fluffy.
2. To scare, startle, unsettle, or unnerve.
3. To make a rattling noise; to make noise by or from shaking.
   • I wish the dashboard in my car would quit rattling.
4. To assail, annoy, or stun with a rattling noise.
5. To scold; to rail at.
6. To drive or ride briskly, so as to make a clattering.
   • We rattled along for a couple of miles.
7. To make a clatter with one's voice; to talk rapidly and idly; often with on or away.
   • She rattled on for an hour.
8. To experience withdrawal from drugs.

Noun

1. Object that rattles. Any of various plants of the genera Rhinanthus and Pedicularis, whose seeds produce a rattling noise in the wind. .mw-parser-output .defdate{font-size:smaller} A baby’s toy designed to make sound when shaken, usually containing loose grains or pellets in a hollow container. A musical instrument that makes a rattling sound. A device which produces a loud rattling sound, especially one having a ratchet mechanism and spun round on a handle. The set of rings at the end of a rattlesnake's tail which produce a rattling sound.
   • The rattle of the rattlesnake is composed of the hardened terminal scales, loosened in succession, but not cast off, and modified in form so as to make a series of loose, hollow joints.
2. Any of various plants of the genera Rhinanthus and Pedicularis, whose seeds produce a rattling noise in the wind. .mw-parser-output .defdate{font-size:smaller}
3. A baby’s toy designed to make sound when shaken, usually containing loose grains or pellets in a hollow container.
4. A musical instrument that makes a rattling sound.
5. A device which produces a loud rattling sound, especially one having a ratchet mechanism and spun round on a handle.
6. The set of rings at the end of a rattlesnake's tail which produce a rattling sound.
   • The rattle of the rattlesnake is composed of the hardened terminal scales, loosened in succession, but not cast off, and modified in form so as to make a series of loose, hollow joints.
7. Rattling sound. A rapid succession of percussive sounds, as made by loose objects shaking or vibrating against one another.
   • I wish they would fix the rattle under my dashboard.
8. A rapid succession of percussive sounds, as made by loose objects shaking or vibrating against one another.
   • I wish they would fix the rattle under my dashboard.
9. Noisy, rapid talk; babble.
10. Trivial chatter; gossip.
11. A noisy, senseless talker; a jabberer.
12. A scolding; a sharp rebuke.
13. A rough noise produced in the throat by air passing through obstructed airways; croup; a death rattle.

Noun

1. Alternative form of rottol: a former Middle Eastern and North African unit of dry weight usually equal to 1–5 lb (0.5–2.5 kg).

Source: Wiktionary · CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wiktionary) · cached copy, not a rewrite.