Rattle Meaning
/ˈɹæ.təl/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
verbTo create a rattling sound by shaking or striking.
verbTo scare, startle, unsettle, or unnerve.
Sentence Examples
When you talk of the devil you will hear his bones rattle.
The baby was shaking the rattle.
The baby is putting the rattle in its mouth.
CEFR Practice Quiz
When shaken, the baby's toy would ____ to make a pleasing sound.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The old car would ____ and shake whenever it went over a bump in the road.
Word Origin & History
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.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"It was a deflating end to the drama for the hosts and they appeared ruffled, with Bolton going close to a leveller when Johan Elmander rattled the bar with a header from Matt Taylor’s cross."
— 2011 February 5, Michael Kevin Darling, “Tottenham 2 - 1 Bolton”, in BBC:
"“Tut!” said old Bittlesham. “Tut is right”, I agreed. Then the rumminess of the thing struck me. “But if you haven’t dropped a parcel over the race,” I said, “why are you looking so rattled?”"
— 1923 May 17, P[elham] G[renville] Wodehouse, “(please specify the page)”, in The Inimitable Jeeves, London: Herbert Jenkins, →OCLC:
"That United were rattled, mentally as well as at times physically – legitimately so – was beyond question. Nick Powell clipped a crisp drive a foot over the bar, but otherwise Milton Keynes had the best of the remainder of the first half."
— 2014 August 26, Richard Rae, “Manchester United humbled by MK Dons after Will Grigg hits double”, in The Guardian:
"The German authorities are still trying to determine what damage their mole may have done. But the discovery of a double agent has rattled German political circles."
— 2023 February 17, Erika Solomon, Christopher F. Schuetze, Julian E. Barnes, “A Russian Mole in Germany Sows Suspicions at Home, and Beyond”, in The New York Times, →ISSN:
"Sound but another [drum], and another shall / As loud as thine rattle the welkin’s ear."
— c. 1596 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Life and Death of King Iohn”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene ii]:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
When shaken, the baby's toy would ____ to make a pleasing sound.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The old car would ____ and shake whenever it went over a bump in the road.