giggle

1 of 2

verb

gig·​gle ˈgi-gəl How to pronounce giggle (audio)
giggled; giggling ˈgi-g(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce giggle (audio)

intransitive verb

: to laugh with repeated short catches of the breath

transitive verb

: to utter with a giggle
giggler noun
gigglingly adverb
giggly adjective

giggle

2 of 2

noun

1
: the act of giggling
2
chiefly British : a source of amusement

Examples of giggle in a Sentence

Verb She giggled like a little kid. We were all joking and giggling nervously as we waited for the ceremony to begin. Noun poking fun at the royal family is nothing new, but this movie comedy has a few giggles you haven't heard before couldn't help but giggle at his remark
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Dratch also continued to giggle through lines for the rest of the sketch, and her occasional pauses to get her bearings were met with joyous applause from the SNL audience. Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Oct. 2025 In a video added to Johnson's Instagram Stories, Rome smiled and giggled as the paramedic talked with him, moving to place the oxygen mask on his face. Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
Noun
The latter’s video focused on her seatmate, whose infectious giggles and wheezing breaths—which one commenter joked sounded like the engine—became the soundtrack to the plane fault. Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025 The game encouraged competitive streaks, teamwork, and plenty of giggles, with parents noting it was well constructed, self-contained, and easy to store or bring along to grandma’s house. Emily Glover, Parents, 2 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for giggle

Word History

Etymology

Verb

imitative

First Known Use

Verb

1509, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun

circa 1677, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of giggle was in 1509

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Giggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/giggle. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

giggle

verb
gig·​gle
ˈgig-əl
giggled; giggling
-(ə-)liŋ
: to laugh with repeated short high sounds
giggle noun
giggly
-(ə-)lē
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on giggle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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