giggle

American  

[gig-uhl] / ˈgɪg əl /

verb (used without object)

giggled, giggling

1. to laugh in a silly, often high-pitched way, especially with short, repeated gasps and titters, as from juvenile or ill-concealed amusement or nervous embarrassment.

   Synonyms:

   chuckle, snigger, snicker

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noun

1. a silly, spasmodic laugh; titter.

   Synonyms:

   chuckle, snigger, snicker

2. Slang. an amusing experience, incident, etc..

   Going to a silly movie was always a giggle.

giggle British  

/ ˈɡɪɡəl /

verb

1. (intr) to laugh nervously or foolishly

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noun

1. such a laugh

2. informal something or someone that provokes amusement

3. a fit of prolonged and uncontrollable giggling

4. informal as a joke or prank; not seriously

Other Word Forms

• giggler noun
• giggling noun
• gigglingly adverb
• giggly adjective

Etymology

Origin of giggle

1500–10; imitative; compare Dutch gigelen, German gickeln. See -le

Example Sentences

Her trunk seemed to have a life all of its own, and she rumbled and groaned almost as if she were talking, which always made Karli giggle.

From Literature

In the shallows, two girls in buckskin tunics giggled as they rinsed the boar’s guts, while three small children solemnly made mud-cakes and studded them with sycamore wings.

From Literature

Improbably, for the first time this week and maybe for the first time since I’ve been home from France, a giggle tugs at my lips.

From Literature

As the title declares, there are traces of him everywhere, including Diem’s giggle.

From Los Angeles Times

I make a strange sound that’s somewhere between a gasp and a giggle.

From Literature

Related Words

• cackle
• chuckle
• guffaw
• laugh
• snicker