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 of cackle

• 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

On a Tuesday afternoon in early November, the Zoom background of Tom Kenny, the voice of the cackling cartoon sea sponge with square pants, is a snapshot from the long-running kids series. —Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Nov. 2025

His teammates and Dodgers coaches cackled when Ohtani’s Michael Bublé walk-up song blasted during the Dodgers’ workout and Ohtani stepped into the batter’s box for a round of hitting. —Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025

Burnett cackled and let out a showy sigh. —Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025

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