cackle

[ kak-uhl ]

verb (used without object)

, cack·led, cack·ling.

1. to utter a shrill, broken sound or cry, as of a hen.
2. to laugh in a shrill, broken manner.
3. to chatter noisily; prattle.

verb (used with object)

, cack·led, cack·ling.

1. to utter with cackles; express by cackling:

   They cackled their disapproval.

noun

1. the act or sound of cackling.
2. chatter; idle talk.

cackle

/ ˈkækəl /

verb

1. intr (esp of a hen) to squawk with shrill notes
2. intr to laugh or chatter raucously
3. tr to utter in a cackling manner

noun

1. the noise or act of cackling
2. noisy chatter
3. cut the cackle informal.
   to stop chattering; be quiet

Derived Forms

• ˈcackler, noun

Other Words From

• cackler noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of cackle¹

1175–1225; Middle English cakelen; cognate with Dutch kakelen, Low German kakeln, Swedish kackla

Word History and Origins

Origin of cackle¹

C13: probably from Middle Low German kākelen, of imitative origin

Example Sentences

The 27-year-old accomplishes this as a shining beacon of joy who earns a welcome cackle from us every Saturday night.

From Salon

At one point, Ohtani snapped his head back with a high-pitched cackle, giggling with a wide smile planted on his face.

From Los Angeles Times

With each taunt, the room filled with cackles from my teammates.

From Salon

Villarreal: And that line where you tell her to Google how to play — I know it’s so simple, but it had me cackling for minutes.

From Los Angeles Times

It had already gone viral and Trump was cackling wildly about it.

From Salon

Related Words

• chortle
• giggle
• laugh