Giggle Sounds Like What It Describes
To giggle is to laugh in a light repeated way. The word is imitative, and English has a whole family of them for laughter.
To giggle is to laugh in a light, nervous or silly way. The word imitates the sound, and English collects a surprising number of these for laughter: *chuckle*, *cackle*, *snigger*, *titter*, *guffaw* and *chortle*. The last was invented by Lewis Carroll, probably blending *chuckle* and *snort*.
- To laugh lightly. *She giggled nervously.*
- A light laugh. *A fit of giggles.*
- Something amusing (British). *Just for a giggle.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb | giggle | Giggle helplessly. |
| Past | giggled | They giggled. |
| Noun | giggle | A stifled giggle. |
| Plural | giggles | The giggles. |
| Adjective | giggly | A giggly mood. |
How it is used in a sentence
- She got the giggles.Could not stop.
- We did it for a giggle.British: for fun.
- Chortle was invented by Lewis Carroll.In Jabberwocky.
Words for laughing
- Giggle — light and often nervous
- Chuckle — quiet and private
- Snigger — suppressed and often unkind
- Guffaw — loud and hearty
- Chortle — coined by Lewis Carroll in 1871
An imitative word recorded from the sixteenth century, related to Dutch *gichelen* and German *kichern*.
Who invented *chortle*?
Lewis Carroll, in Jabberwocky in 1871. It probably blends chuckle and snort, and it entered ordinary English.
Giggle or chuckle?
A giggle is higher and often nervous or childish. A chuckle is lower and more private.