chuckle

[chuhk-uhl]

verb (used without object)

chuckled, chuckling 

1. to laugh softly or amusedly, usually with satisfaction.

   They chuckled at the child's efforts to walk.

2. to laugh to oneself.

   to chuckle while reading.

3. Obsolete.,  to cluck, as a fowl.

noun

1. a soft laugh, usually of satisfaction.

2. Obsolete.,  the cluck of a hen.

chuckle

/ ˈtʃʌkəl /

verb

1. to laugh softly or to oneself

2. (of animals, esp hens) to make a clucking sound

noun

1. a partly suppressed laugh

Other Word Forms

• chuckler noun
• chucklingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of chuckle¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; chuck ³ + -le

Word History and Origins

Origin of chuckle¹

C16: probably from _chuck ³

Synonym Study

See laugh.

Example Sentences

No wonder when Steve Jobs was asked External link what motivated Ellison, he chuckled and simply said, “Rosebud.”

Read more on Barron's

“I make sure that when I’m at the soccer games for my girls, I’m sitting down, and not up too much, saving my legs,” he said, chuckling.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Santa Ana chuckled as I described some of the better videos I’ve seen.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

As expected, some of Swift’s more questionable lyrics — many of which were exponentially funnier as clean versions — garnered some chuckles, and “Actually Romantic,” an alleged Charli XCX diss track, notably concluded without applause.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“I pulled almost an all-nighter last night, so he’s been keeping us up,” he said, exhaling a light chuckle.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• chortle 
• laugh 
• smile 
• snicker