giggle

[ gig-uhl ]

/ ˈgɪg əl /

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See synonyms for: giggle / giggled / giggling on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object), gig·gled, gig·gling.

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.

noun

a silly, spasmodic laugh; titter.

Slang. an amusing experience, incident, etc.: Going to a silly movie was always a giggle.

OTHER WORDS FOR giggle

1, 2 snicker, snigger, chuckle.

See synonyms for giggle on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of giggle

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

OTHER WORDS FROM giggle

giggler, noungig·gling·ly, adverbgiggly, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use giggle in a sentence

During our lengthy chat, Cal can be heard scampering around and giggling in the background.
Julian Casablancas Enters the Void: On the Strokes’ Friction, Why He Left NYC, and Starting Over|Marlow Stern|October 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The creaking of the bed can be heard through the floorboards and, 20 minutes later, Beverley emerges, giggling.
‘My Granny The Escort’: Meet 85-Year-Old Sheila Vogel-Coupe, Britain’s Oldest Prostitute|Marlow Stern|June 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I could hear the girls giggling upstairs, their TV music shows going.
The Cost: What Stop and Frisk Does to a Young Man’s Soul|Rilla Askew|May 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“I think my fans just have high hopes for me,” Kwan says, giggling a little more.
Figure Skater Michelle Kwan Chases Gold in Rhode Island’s Gubernatorial Race|Nicholas McCarvel|April 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Yes, on top of everything else, Beyoncé is even the best at giggling.
Beyonce Gave the Best Grammy Awards Performance (And 8 More That Were Pretty Good, Too)|Kevin Fallon|January 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Human resemblances at the Zoo are quite enough to call up this purely functional giggling.
In Accordance with the Evidence|Oliver Onions
A distant light, and the noise of females giggling, which increased most indecorously as I drew near, attracted my attention.
In the Wrong Paradise|Andrew Lang
There was a good deal of giggling and loud whispering at the back door of the barn.
The Tale of Pony Twinkleheels|Arthur Scott Bailey
The first time Twinkleheels saw them travelling at that gait he couldn't help giggling.
The Tale of Pony Twinkleheels|Arthur Scott Bailey
Ned still giggling with both hands to his black mouth replied distrustfully.
The Broken Sword|Dennison Worthington

British Dictionary definitions for giggle

giggle

/ (ˈɡɪɡəl) /

verb

(intr) to laugh nervously or foolishly

noun

such a laugh

informal something or someone that provokes amusement

the giggles a fit of prolonged and uncontrollable giggling

for a giggle informal as a joke or prank; not seriously

Derived forms of giggle

giggler, noungiggling, noun, adjectivegigglingly, adverbgiggly, adjective

Word Origin for giggle

C16: of imitative origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

giggle

OTHER WORDS FOR giggle

Origin of giggle

OTHER WORDS FROM giggle

Words related to giggle

How to use giggle in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for giggle

Derived forms of giggle

Word Origin for giggle