chortle

[ chawr-tl ]

verb (used without object)

, chor·tled, chor·tling.

1. to chuckle gleefully.

verb (used with object)

, chor·tled, chor·tling.

1. to express with a gleeful chuckle:

   to chortle one's joy.

noun

1. a gleeful chuckle.

chortle

/ ˈtʃɔːtəl /

verb

1. intr to chuckle gleefully

noun

1. a gleeful chuckle

Derived Forms

• ˈchortler, noun

Other Words From

• chortler noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of chortle¹

Blend of chuckle and snort; coined by Lewis Carroll in Through the Looking-Glass (1871)

Word History and Origins

Origin of chortle¹

C19: coined (1871) by Lewis Carroll in Through the Looking-glass; probably a blend of chuckle + snort

Example Sentences

While it is easy to chortle at the hillbilly-Deadhead vibe surrounding Trump rallies, it is more important to consider how the better-educated are weakening their country by rejecting the tools necessary to maintain the structure of liberal democracy.

From Salon

I’d scoff and chortle and avoid it, thinking that water was superfluous, extraneous, not something that would “make or break” whatever it was I was cooking.

From Salon

Now, Israelis and others in the Middle East need to worry—or chortle over—his intentions there as well.

From Slate

Much of the rest of the comedian’s short set was “oversimplified political stuff,” recalled Steve Bennett, the editor of comedy website Chortle.

From New York Times

Now, a new, more virile chortle has risen to take its place.

From Slate

Related Words

• cackle
• chuckle
• giggle
• laugh
• snicker