giggle

[ gig-uhl ]
See synonyms for: gigglegiggledgiggling on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object),gig·gled, gig·gling.
  1. to laugh in a silly, often high-pitched way, especially with short, repeated gasps and titters, as from juvenile or ill-concealed amusement or nervous embarrassment.

noun
  1. a silly, spasmodic laugh; titter.

  2. Slang. an amusing experience, incident, etc.: Going to a silly movie was always a giggle.

Origin of giggle

1
1500–10; imitative; compare Dutch gigelen,German gickeln.See -le

Other words for giggle

Other words from giggle

  • giggler, noun
  • gig·gling·ly, adverb
  • giggly, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use giggle in a sentence

  • Sometimes they're rather giggly and silly, and we certainly don't want to get the credit for their escapades.

    A Patriotic Schoolgirl | Angela Brazil
  • In the attic scene, I ran into Kim and three of her giggly little friends, their eyes glinting in the dim light.

  • A gushy, giggly young party Marion is, but she turns out to be quite a help.

    The House of Torchy | Sewell Ford
  • In the blaze of the electric lights, he saw Lizzie Connolly and her giggly friend.

    Martin Eden | Jack London
  • Kind of braced me for swingin' past all that row of giggly lady typists and on into Mr. Robert's private office.

    Torchy, Private Sec. | Sewell Ford

British Dictionary definitions for giggle

giggle

/ (ˈɡɪɡəl) /


verb
  1. (intr) to laugh nervously or foolishly

noun
  1. such a laugh

  2. informal something or someone that provokes amusement

  1. the giggles a fit of prolonged and uncontrollable giggling

  2. for a giggle informal as a joke or prank; not seriously

Origin of giggle

1
C16: of imitative origin

Derived forms of giggle

  • giggler, noun
  • giggling, noun, adjective
  • gigglingly, adverb
  • giggly, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012