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

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

Then, Kelce was asked about all the Chiefs fandom that was seen in the São Paulo streets, and his response had everyone in the room cackling. —Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2025

Wisecracking, cackling mini-maniac Teddy was the daredevil of the group. —Sezin Devi Koehler September 1, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2025

Yes, the horror begins with a crying blonde girl being given a spoon and pushed to her knees to eat feces in front of a cackling audience. —Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 21 Aug. 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