Chuckle
/ˈtʃʌkəl/
verbBeginner📊CommonGeneral
1 meaning1 question
Definitions
1
To laugh softly or in a muffled way, usually expressing amusement.
/ˈtʃʌkəl/
verbpositiveBeginner
General
To laugh quietly or inwardly.
He chuckled at his own silly mistake.
💡 Simply: Imagine a little giggle that's not too loud. That's a chuckle! Like when you hear a funny secret and you smile and go 'hehe'.
👶 For kids: A happy, quiet laugh.
More Examples
2
The comedian's jokes had the audience chuckling.
How It's Used
Everyday Conversation
"She chuckled at the joke."
From Middle English *chokelen, from Middle Dutch *knokelen "to strike the knuckles," from Middle High German *knōcheln.
The word 'chuckle' has been used in a similar way for centuries, always implying a quiet and somewhat restrained form of laughter.
Memory tip
Think of a chicken clucking softly – a chuckle is a soft, quiet laugh.
Word Origin
Original meaning
"to strike the knuckles"
chuckle softlychuckle to oneself
Common misspellings
chuklechuckle
Practice
Usage
70%Spoken
30%Written