titter

[ tit-er ]
See synonyms for titter on Thesaurus.com
verb (used without object)
  1. to laugh in a restrained, self-conscious, or affected way, as from nervousness or in ill-suppressed amusement.

noun
  1. a tittering laugh.

Origin of titter

1
1610–20; perhaps <Scandinavian; compare Old Norse tittra to quiver, Swedish (dial.) tittra to giggle

Other words for titter

Other words from titter

  • tit·ter·er, noun
  • tit·ter·ing·ly, adverb
  • un·tit·ter·ing, adjective

Words Nearby titter

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use titter in a sentence

  • Their appearance immediately attracted notice, and no sooner had they taken their seats than Duncan and Llewellyn began to titter.

    Eric, or Little by Little | Frederic W. Farrar
  • Another titter through the court-room, the colonel and the squire blushing redder than ever.

    The Rival Campers | Ruel Perley Smith
  • Every one knew what a favourite Eric had once been, so this speech created a slight titter.

    Eric, or Little by Little | Frederic W. Farrar

British Dictionary definitions for titter

titter

/ (ˈtɪtə) /


verb
  1. (intr) to snigger, esp derisively or in a suppressed way

  2. (tr) to express by tittering

noun
  1. a suppressed laugh, chuckle, or snigger

Origin of titter

1
C17: of imitative origin

Derived forms of titter

  • titterer, noun
  • tittering, adjective
  • titteringly, adverb

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