giggle
[gig-uh l]
- 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.
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- a silly, spasmodic laugh; titter.
- Slang. an amusing experience, incident, etc.: Going to a silly movie was always a giggle.
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Origin of giggle
Synonyms
See more synonyms for giggle on Thesaurus.com1, 2. snicker, snigger, chuckle.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for giggling
Contemporary Examples
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 OverMarlow Stern
October 9, 2014
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 ProstituteMarlow Stern
June 3, 2014
“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 RaceNicholas McCarvel
April 17, 2014
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
We walked through shady villages where children plied us for pens before running after us, giggling and curious.
Historical Examples
The introduction completed, they stood looking at him, giggling and giggling.
Cleo The MagnificentLouis Zangwill
Some of the girls were giggling in the darkness as their men pressed close to them.
L'AssommoirEmile Zola
They were at the gate of Ballawhaine by this time, and Ross went through it giggling.
The ManxmanHall Caine
"Ah, you are sensible I see; that pleases me," said Rolla, giggling.
The Son of Monte-Cristo, Volume II (of 2)Alexandre Dumas pre
As a girl she had possibly been pretty in a dimpled, giggling sort of way.
All Roads Lead to CalvaryJerome K. Jerome
giggle
- (intr) to laugh nervously or foolishly
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- 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
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Word Origin
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
Word Origin and History for giggling
giggle
v.
c.1500, probably imitative. Related: Giggled; giggling; giggly. As a noun from 1570s.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper