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

She announced her findings to the class, then read it aloud while everyone giggled.

From Literature

Jonah’s now laying flat on the floor, giggling while Maverick dances and wiggles all around and over him, licking his face whenever he lunges in close.

From Literature

Now it’s time to go, and giggling over nothing, we walk to her car.

From Los Angeles Times

On Last One Laughing, the comics are given six hours to make their opponents giggle.

From BBC

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

Related Words

• cackle
• chuckle
• guffaw
• laugh
• snicker