Words / A1

RATL/ˈrætl/

A rattle is a baby toy that makes a noise when you shake it. Countable: a rattle, rattles. A bell rings with a clear note; a rattle is more of a shake-shake sound. A dummy (British) is for sucking, not shaking. Mix-up: rattle vs cattle (cows) — extra c; and rattle as a verb (the window rattled).

Meaning

A baby toy that makes a noise when you shake it.

Examples

• “The baby is shaking a rattle.”
• “The baby dropped the rattle under the cot.”
• “This rattle is too loud for bedtime.”

Good to know

a rattle (baby toy). Contrast: bell (clear ring), dummy (sucking). Mix-up: cattle.

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