cackle

verb

cack·​le ˈka-kəl 

cackled; cackling ˈka-k(ə-)liŋ 

intransitive verb

1

: to make the sharp broken noise or cry characteristic of a hen especially after laying

2

: to laugh especially in a harsh or sharp manner

Shakespeare's crones cackled of evil deeds

—Scott McMurray

3

: chatter

cackle noun

cackler

ˈka-k(ə-)lər 

noun

Synonyms

• chat
• talk
• converse
• chatter
• rattle

Examples of cackle in a Sentence

The hens were cackling in the henhouse.

I could hear my aunts cackling in the next room.

Recent Examples on the Web

Kōnane cackles with the frayed voice of a centuries-old elder. —Matt Negrin, Rolling Stone, 20 Sep. 2025

As the backstory evolved, Calico townswoman Sarah Marshall transformed into the Green Witch on the gallows, turned her accusing neighbors into monsters with a wicked curse and vanished in a puff of smoke with a cackling laugh. —Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 17 Sep. 2025

But her signature cackles always give up the game. —Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2025

Hundreds of shops at CST Road are crammed along half a mile of bumpy road with cackling traffic. —Omkar Khandekar, NPR, 6 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English cakelen, of imitative origin

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for cackle

• crackle
• hackle
• jackal
• shackle
• tackle
• vakil
• ramshackle
• tabernacle
• zodiacal

Kids Definition

cackle

verb

cack·​le ˈkak-əl 

cackled; cackling -(ə-)liŋ 

1

: to make the sharp broken noise or cry that a hen makes especially after laying an egg

2

: to laugh or chatter noisily

cackle noun

cackler

-(ə-)lər 

noun