chuckle
CHUH-kuhl
Chuckle (noun) means a quiet, restrained laugh. Example: “He gave a little chuckle at the joke.”
noun
1
A quiet, restrained laugh.
"He gave a little chuckle at the joke."
verb
1
To laugh softly or to oneself.
"She chuckled as she read his text message."
"The old man chuckled at the children's antics."
How to use chuckle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA soft, quiet laugh, or to laugh that way.
Common mistake
A chuckle is quieter and more restrained than a laugh or giggle — don't use it for loud, uncontrolled laughter.
Common pairings
a quiet chuckle
chuckle to oneself
let out a chuckle
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Word forms
- Plural
- chuckles
- Third person singular
- chuckles
- Past tense
- chuckled
- Comparative
- more chuckle
- Superlative
- most chuckle
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He gave a little _____ at the joke.
Etymology
From chuck (an old word meaning \"to laugh\" or make a clucking sound) + the frequentative suffix -le.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for chuckle
See all rhymes for chuckle →Frequently asked questions
What does “chuckle” mean?
The word “chuckle” means a quiet, restrained laugh. In plain terms, a soft, quiet laugh, or to laugh that way.
How do you pronounce “chuckle”?
“Chuckle” is pronounced CHUH-kuhl (/ˈt͡ʃʌkəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “chuckle” in a sentence?
Here is “chuckle” used in a sentence: “He gave a little chuckle at the joke.”
What is another word for “chuckle”?
Words with a similar meaning to “chuckle” include pet, touch up and posset.
What part of speech is “chuckle”?
Depending on how it is used, “chuckle” can be a noun and a verb.
Is “chuckle” a common word?
“Chuckle” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “chuckle” have?
“Chuckle” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a quiet, restrained laugh.
