chuckle

verb

chuck·​le ˈchə-kᵊl 

chuckled; chuckling; chuckles

intransitive verb

1

: to laugh inwardly or quietly

He chuckled as he read the comic strip.

2

: to make a continuous gentle sound resembling suppressed (see suppress sense 5a) mirth

the clear bright water chuckled over gravel

—B. A. Williams

transitive verb

: to utter with a chuckle

Templeton grinned. "I'll tend to this," he chuckled. He took Wilbur's tail in his mouth and bit it … . The pain revived Wilbur.

—E. B. White

chuckle noun

chucklesome

ˈchə-kᵊl-səm 

adjective

chucklingly

ˈchə-kᵊl-iŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• break up
• cackle
• chortle
• crack up
• giggle
• hee-haw
• laugh
• roar
• scream
• snicker
• titter
• twitter

Examples of chuckle in a Sentence

She chuckled at the memory of what he had said.

everyone dutifully chuckled at the professor's intended jokes

Recent Examples on the Web

The Vermont lawmaker chuckled and brushed off the comment while looking down. —Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 24 June 2025

Some of my peers have chuckled knowingly and offered congratulations. —Allen Buchanan, Oc Register, 21 June 2025

Buffalo Bills who could never beat Bill Belichick marvel as mysticism fades: ‘His image has changed’ The Bills from the drought era can't help but chuckle at the state of their longtime nemesis. —Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 18 June 2025

As for others, manager Aaron Boone chuckled before answering and saw Dobbins’ remark as youthful enthusiasm about being on the Red Sox. —Larry Fleisher, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

probably frequentative of chuck entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1770, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for chuckle

• buckle
• chicle
• knuckle
• muckle
• suckle
• tical
• honeysuckle

Kids Definition

chuckle

verb

chuck·​le ˈchək-əl 

chuckled; chuckling

ˈchək-(ə-)liŋ

: to laugh in a quiet way

chuckle noun