tickler: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Informal, Business
Quick answer
What does “tickler” mean?
A person or thing that tickles.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person or thing that tickles; specifically, a notebook or file for reminders or items needing periodic attention.
A person or device that provokes amusement or light laughter; a subtle problem or puzzle that intrigues the mind; in business jargon, a system for tracking pending matters.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The 'reminder file' sense is more common in American English, particularly in administrative and legal contexts. British English is more likely to use 'bring-forward file' or 'pending file' for the same concept, though 'tickler' is understood.
Connotations
In both varieties, the 'person who tickles' sense is playful and informal. The 'reminder system' sense carries a professional, slightly technical connotation in AmE, and is perceived as a specific jargon term in BrE.
Frequency
Overall low frequency. In AmE, moderately known in office/legal environments. In BrE, rare outside of specific professional contexts or as a direct loan from AmE business terminology.
Grammar
How to Use “tickler” in a Sentence
[to be] a tickler for detailput [something] in/on the ticklera tickler of a problemVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
A physical or digital system to track tasks or correspondence due on future dates. 'All invoices are logged in the electronic tickler for 30-day follow-up.'
Academic
Rare. Possibly used metaphorically for a philosophical or logical puzzle that 'tickles' the intellect.
Everyday
Almost exclusively refers to a person who tickles others playfully. 'My uncle was a terrible tickler when I was a child.'
Technical
Specific to office management and legal practice, denoting a chronological reminder file.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “tickler”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “tickler”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “tickler”
- Using 'tickler' to mean a major problem (it's a minor/amusing one). Confusing 'tickler file' with a 'ticker tape' or 'ticker file'. Overusing the term in BrE where 'diary reminder' or 'pending tray' would be more natural.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency word. Its most common use is as professional jargon in American office/legal contexts ('tickler file'), or informally for someone who tickles.
Yes, informally. A 'tickler' can be a puzzling question or problem that 'tickles' your brain, though this usage is somewhat dated or regional.
A tickler file is often a physical folder system (1-31 for days, 1-12 for months) for sorting paper reminders by future date. A calendar marks dates, but a tickler actively holds the documents or notes themselves until their due date.
Yes, the noun 'tickler' is derived from the verb 'to tickle'. The 'reminder' sense metaphorically extends from the idea of something lightly prodding your memory, just as tickling lightly prods the body.
A person or thing that tickles.
Tickler is usually informal, business in register.
Tickler: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtɪklə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtɪklər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A real tickler (a difficult but amusing puzzle)”
- “A tickler for detail (someone obsessed with minutiae)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a feather tickling your memory – a TICKLER keeps important dates from being forgotten.
Conceptual Metaphor
REMINDING IS PHYSICALLY PRODDING (a tickle is a light, insistent physical stimulus). ORGANIZATION IS A PHYSICAL CONTAINER (the tickler file).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'tickler' most likely to be used in American English?