tintinnabulation
Say it: tin-tih-nab-yuh-LAY-shun /ˌtɪntɪˌnæbjʊˈleɪʃən/ · noun
What “tintinnabulation” means
The ringing or tinkling of bells.
Example: “The tintinnabulation of cycle bells filled the Amsterdam morning.”
When to use it
In playful or literary descriptions, when you want a vivid word for bells ringing.
Memory trick
The repeated tin-tin sound can remind you of little bells ringing.
Similar words
ringing, chiming, jingling
Where it comes from
Latin tintinnabulum 'bell'; popularised by Edgar Allan Poe's poem 'The Bells'.
Quick check
A breeze shakes small brass bells outside a shop, filling the doorway with tinkling. What are you hearing?
reverberation or tintinnabulation?
Show the answer
tintinnabulation
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