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

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

How to use titter in a sentence

  • Volleys of laughter crackled around the arena, and the delighted spectators settled, tittering, back into their seats.

    Kings in Exile | Sir Charles George Douglas Roberts
  • The tittering swells into a roar, and at last Beckmesser, cursing Sachs for a deceiver and false friend, flies.

    Richard Wagner | John F. Runciman
  • Not the least; they are both tittering and giggling merrily; they are accustomed to it, and habit is second nature.

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