chuckle

verb chuck·le \ ˈchə-kᵊl \

Updated on: 23 May 2018

Definition of chuckle

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 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

play \-səm\ adjective

—

chucklingly

play \-iŋ-lē\ adverb

See chuckle defined for English-language learners

See chuckle defined for kids

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 of chuckle from the Web

Five years later, no one in South Florida is chuckling.

— dave hyde, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Hyde: LeBron vs. Ainge gives Heat pause at what was | Commentary," 12 May 2018
Hakan Andersson chuckled when asked about the comparison between Detroit Red Wings legend Nicklas Lidstrom and Rasmus Dahlin, the young defenseman who headlines a strong 2018 NHL entry draft.

— helene st. james, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Red Wings scout: Rasmus Dahlin 'has no weaknesses'," 26 Apr. 2018
Asked about the individual defense Butler and Derrick Rose played on Harden, Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau chuckled.

— aj neuharth-keusch, USA TODAY, "James Harden might be 'most unguardable player' ever, says Charles Barkley," 16 Apr. 2018
Typically, the veterans would simply chuckle and let the words whistle through their ears without landing.

— andy staples, SI.com, "Florida State's QB Battle Has the Dual Luxuries of Proven Leaders and Time," 12 Apr. 2018
El Cabo chuckled and promised to attend the opening at the theater.

— tara bahrampour, Washington Post, "A street corner that offers D.C. Latinos ‘a cure for the heartbreak of being away from home’," 12 Mar. 2018
Nah, but the trailer still squeezes out enough actual IRL chuckles to make the movie seem worth the price of admission.

— brennan carley, GQ, "Sign Up for Tiffany Haddish and Kevin Hart's Night School Trailer," 3 Apr. 2018
Some stopped, many chuckled nervously and slapped his back; none ever financed his films.

— stephen galloway, The Hollywood Reporter, "Stephen Hawking and the Search for a Hollywood Genius," 16 Mar. 2018
Benson drew chuckles with his Benson Boogie — and with his malaprops.

— brett martel, chicagotribune.com, "Saints, Pelicans owner Tom Benson dies at age 90," 15 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'chuckle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of chuckle

probably frequentative of ¹chuck

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1770

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

chuckle Synonyms

Phrases

split one's sides;

CHUCKLE Defined for English Language Learners

chuckle

verb

Definition of chuckle for English Language Learners

: to laugh in a quiet way

CHUCKLE Defined for Kids

chuckle

verb chuck·le \ ˈchə-kəl \

Definition of chuckle for Students

chuckled; chuckling

: to laugh in a quiet way

chuckle

noun

Definition of chuckle for Students

: a low quiet laugh

Learn More about chuckle

See words that rhyme with chuckle Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for chuckle Spanish Central: Translation of chuckle Nglish: Translation of chuckle for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of chuckle for Arabic speakers

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chuckle

Definition of chuckle

chuckle

chucklesome

chucklingly

Examples of chuckle in a Sentence

Recent Examples of chuckle from the Web

Origin and Etymology of chuckle

chuckle Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Phrases

CHUCKLE Defined for English Language Learners

chuckle

Definition of chuckle for English Language Learners

CHUCKLE Defined for Kids

chuckle

Definition of chuckle for Students

chuckle

Definition of chuckle for Students

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