English Explanatory Dictionary

tickle the ivories

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To play a piano or other keyboard instrument.

Pronunciation

/ˌtikl̩ ðiː ˈaɪv(ə)ɹiz/ /ˌtik(ə)l ði ˈaɪv(ə)ɹiz/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Naomi Persephone Amethyst (NaomiAmethyst)-tickle the ivories.wav En-au-tickle the ivories.ogg

Word forms

tickle the ivories tickles the ivories tickling the ivories tickled the ivories tickle the ivory tickle the ivory keys tinkle the ivories

Etymology

From tickle (“to touch (something) lightly”) + the + ivories (“(informal) keys of a piano or other keyboard instrument”) (from the fact that such keys used to be made from ivory).

Related words

ivory tickler play music
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