Main Entry:

chuck·le

Pronunciation:

\ˈchə-k^əl\

Function:

intransitive verb

Inflected Form(s):

chuck·led; chuck·ling

Etymology:

probably frequentative of ¹chuck

Date:

circa 1770

1 : to laugh inwardly or quietly 2 : to make a continuous gentle sound resembling suppressed mirth <the clear bright water chuckled over gravel — B. A. Williams>

— chuckle noun

— chuck·le·some \-səm\ adjective

— chuck·ling·ly \-iŋ-lē\ adverb