giggle
GIHGL
Giggle (verb) means to laugh quietly in a light, often nervous or amused way. Example: “The kids giggled every time the puppet fell over.”
verb
1
To laugh quietly in a light, often nervous or amused way.
"The kids giggled every time the puppet fell over."
noun
1
A light, high-pitched laugh.
"Her giggle was contagious."
How to use giggle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA soft, light laugh, or the act of laughing that way.
Common pairings
a fit of giggles
giggle nervously
give someone the giggles
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Word forms
- Plural
- giggles
- Third person singular
- giggles
- Past tense
- giggled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The kids _____ every time the puppet fell over.
Etymology
From the early 1500s, likely imitative of the sound itself.
Class of 1500
giggle joined the language around 1500.
See the full Class of 1500 →
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for giggle
See all rhymes for giggle →Frequently asked questions
What does “giggle” mean?
The word “giggle” means to laugh quietly in a light, often nervous or amused way. In plain terms, a soft, light laugh, or the act of laughing that way.
How do you pronounce “giggle”?
“Giggle” is pronounced GIHGL (/ˈɡɪɡl̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “giggle” in a sentence?
Here is “giggle” used in a sentence: “The kids giggled every time the puppet fell over.”
What part of speech is “giggle”?
Depending on how it is used, “giggle” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “giggle” come from?
The word “giggle” dates back to around 1500. From the early 1500s, likely imitative of the sound itself.
Is “giggle” a common word?
“Giggle” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “giggle” have?
“Giggle” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to laugh quietly in a light, often nervous or amused way.
