chuckle

[ chuhk-uhl ]

verb (used without object)

, chuck·led, chuck·ling.

1. to laugh softly or amusedly, usually with satisfaction:

   They chuckled at the child's efforts to walk.

2. to laugh to oneself:

   to chuckle while reading.

3. Obsolete. to cluck, as a fowl.

noun

1. a soft laugh, usually of satisfaction.
2. Obsolete. the cluck of a hen.

chuckle

/ ˈtʃʌkəl /

verb

1. to laugh softly or to oneself
2. (of animals, esp hens) to make a clucking sound

noun

1. a partly suppressed laugh

Derived Forms

• ˈchucklingly, adverb
• ˈchuckler, noun

Other Words From

• chuckler noun
• chuckling·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of chuckle¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; chuck ³ + -le

Word History and Origins

Origin of chuckle¹

C16: probably from chuck ³

Synonym Study

See laugh.

Example Sentences

More than two decades later, Foster chuckled while pondering what might have been had he not been forced to play both ways.

From Los Angeles Times

“There’s a real ‘Inception’ quality to writing an emotional arc for an emotion inside someone else’s head while thinking about it in your head,” Holstein says with a chuckle.

From Los Angeles Times

The young Lakers coach was about to use a well-worn coaching adage, chuckling at the absurdity of offering a “back in my day” to anyone listening.

From Los Angeles Times

It is easy to imagine, somewhere in a Parisian hotel room, Eddie Jones chuckling at the television.

From BBC

"I think the first time I carried a bag with me was when I was 20, when I actually came to university," says Elena with a chuckle.

From BBC

Related Words

• chortle
• laugh
• smile
• snicker