giggle

[ gig-uhl ]

/ ˈgɪg əl /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR giggle 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.

Nearby words

Origin of giggle

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

SYNONYMS FOR giggle

1, 2 snicker, snigger, chuckle.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR giggle ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formsgig·gler, noungig·gling·ly, adverbgig·gly, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for giggling

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 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

We walked through shady villages where children plied us for pens before running after us, giggling and curious.
On Foot in the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco|Joanna Eede|January 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They tickled nothing, of course, for their giggling and shouting scared every spotted thing away.
Five Tales|John Galsworthy
"But marriage would probably cure her giggling," Witherspoon replied, slyly winking at Henry.
The Colossus|Opie Read
In a giggling peal young goldbronze voices blended, Douce with Kennedy your other eye.
Ulysses|James Joyce
Several of the Boer girls were the first, but few of them had any ideas, being mostly of the fluffy-brained, giggling type.
Aletta|Bertram Mitford
The old lady in front lifted a frank handkerchief; the giggling girls were raptly watching.
Jane Journeys On|Ruth Comfort Mitchell

British Dictionary definitions for giggling

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 Formsgiggler, 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

Word Origin and History for giggling

giggle

c.1500, probably imitative. Related: Giggled; giggling; giggly. As a noun from 1570s.

giggle

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

noun

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Nearby words

Origin of giggle

Examples from the Web for giggling

British Dictionary definitions for giggling

giggle

verb

noun

Word Origin for giggle

Word Origin and History for giggling

giggle