chuckle
Americanverb (used without object)
-
to laugh softly or amusedly, usually with satisfaction.
They chuckled at the child's efforts to walk.
-
to laugh to oneself.
to chuckle while reading.
-
Obsolete. to cluck, as a fowl.
noun
-
a soft laugh, usually of satisfaction.
-
Obsolete. the cluck of a hen.
verb
-
to laugh softly or to oneself
-
(of animals, esp hens) to make a clucking sound
noun
Related Words
See laugh.
Other Word Forms
- chuckler noun
- chucklingly adverb
Etymology
Origin of chuckle
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Though Zendaya might have been chuckling a bit when she posted a “Save the Date” message on social media three weeks ago to promote her upcoming movie “The Drama.”
From Los Angeles Times
My face must have shown my utter shock at this pronouncement because Callaway chuckled.
From Literature
I understood his concern and tried unsuccessfully to stifle a chuckle.
From Salon
“I always chuckle a little bit when I see these reports in the paper,” he said.
Robinson chuckles as canned laughter from the soundboard fills the room.
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
