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

“She’s just a girl trying to get through life, and she’s gotta do what she needs to do,” Madigan says with a light chuckle.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He chuckles at the memes and impersonations and notion that he’ll never pass an opportunity to compliment Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He chuckles, adding, “We stood on opposite sides of the room with this chanting music.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Many textures derived from synthesizers, sequencers and drum machines can be instantly pegged to the decade of their origin, which for many listeners leads to a knowing chuckle.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The weird thing is that recently I’ve found myself missing the smaller things: the gyil recordings she would play in her apartment, her super-throaty chuckle, and the wild stories she used to tell.

Read more on Literature

Related Words

• chortle 
• laugh 
• smile 
• snicker