noun
cackle
KA-kuhl
Cackle (noun) means a harsh, broken sound like a hen's cry, or a laugh that sounds similar. Example: “Her cackle carried across the whole restaurant.”
noun
1
A harsh, broken sound like a hen's cry, or a laugh that sounds similar.
"Her cackle carried across the whole restaurant."
verb
1
To laugh in a loud, harsh way, or to make the sharp cry of a hen or goose.
"The witches in the play cackled menacingly over their cauldron."
"Hens cackled noisily after laying their eggs."
How to use cackle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA harsh, cracked laugh or cry, like the noise a hen makes.
Common pairings
cackle with laughter
a witch's cackle
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Word forms
- Plural
- cackles
- Third person singular
- cackles
- Past tense
- cackled
Fill the gap
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Her _____ carried across the whole restaurant.
Etymology
From Middle English caclen/cakelen, likely echoing the sound itself, related to Dutch kakelen and German Low German kakeln, all meaning "to cackle."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for cackle
See all rhymes for cackle →Frequently asked questions
What does “cackle” mean?
The word “cackle” means a harsh, broken sound like a hen's cry, or a laugh that sounds similar. In plain terms, a harsh, cracked laugh or cry, like the noise a hen makes.
How do you pronounce “cackle”?
“Cackle” is pronounced KA-kuhl (/ˈkækəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “cackle” in a sentence?
Here is “cackle” used in a sentence: “Her cackle carried across the whole restaurant.”
What part of speech is “cackle”?
Depending on how it is used, “cackle” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “cackle” come from?
The word “cackle” comes from Middle English. From Middle English caclen/cakelen, likely echoing the sound itself, related to Dutch kakelen and German Low German kakeln, all meaning "to cackle.".
How many meanings does “cackle” have?
“Cackle” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a harsh, broken sound like a hen's cry, or a laugh that sounds similar.
