1.tickle的基本意思是“(使)人感觉刺痒; 搔痒”。引申可作“使高兴”“使感到有趣”解,指激动或刺激之类愉快的感觉。
2.tickle可用作及物动词,也可用作不及物动词。用作及物动词时可接名词或代词作宾语,也可接以形容词或介词短语充当补足语的复合宾语。

tickle by(v.+prep.)
以做某事满足 cause sb to satisfy by doing sth
▲tickle sth by v-ing
They tickle his vanity by praising his work.他们称赞他的功过,以满足他的虚荣心。

tickle to death(v.+prep.+n.)
〈非正〉使…笑破肚皮 amuse sb very much
▲tickle sb to death
◇ 用于be ～ed结构
I was tickled to death to hear how Mary had at last won a victory over her rude neighbour.听说玛丽如何最终制服了她那粗野无礼的邻居时,我的肚皮都笑破了。

tickle with(v.+prep.)
因…高兴 be delighted with sth
▲tickle sb with sth
The comedian tickled the crowd with his jokes.滑稽演员讲笑话引人发笑。
◇ 用于be ～ed结构
The child was tickled with his new toys.那孩子有了这些新玩具快乐极了。

用作不及物动词
▲S+～(+A)
Pepper tickles if it gets into the nose.胡椒进入鼻孔会使人发痒。
I don't like these rough sheets.They tickle.我不喜欢这些粗糙的床单,它们使人发痒。
My foot tickles.我脚痒。
My jaw still tickles from the dentist's injection.牙科医生给我打的那一针使我颚部仍感到痒痒的。
用作及物动词
▲S+～+n./pron.
The tough blanket tickles me.这条粗毯子刺得我痒痒的。
He tickled the baby's feet and made her laugh.他搔婴孩的脚,把她逗笑。
◇ 用于be ～ed结构
I was tickled by his good stories.我听他的故事真来劲。
用作宾补动词
▲S+～+n./pron.+adj.
The story tickled her fancy.她觉得这故事很有趣。
◇ 用于be ～ed结构
We were tickled pink to see our friends on television.看到我们的朋友出现在屏幕上,我们高兴极了。
He is tickled pink with his new stereo system.他的新立体声响设备简直把他乐坏了。

tickle还可用作名词,基本意思是“搔; 胳肢; 发痒”。