giggle

giggle Definition

gig·gle (gig′əl)

intransitive verb -·gled, -·gling

to laugh with a series of uncontrollable, rapid, high-pitched sounds in a silly or nervous way, as if trying to hold back; titter

Etymology: 16th c., prob. < Du giggelen: for IE base see gig

noun

the act or sound of giggling

giggle Related Forms

gig′·gler noun gig′·gly adjective -·glier, -·gli·est

giggle Synonyms

n. & v.

titter, chuckle, snicker; see laugh. See syn. study at laughn.

giggle Usage Examples

Object

fit: Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment 028.
girl: The big Maori driver gave me my ticket and sat down beside a bunch of giggling school girls.
lot: I was being very silly and we were giggling a lot.

Converse of object

stifle: You can't get through a page without having to stifle giggles at the pompous redundancy of the literary quotations.
suppress: Sam doesn't bother suppressing the giggle this time.
hear: I don't feel very comfortable as I hear silly giggles and jokes about me.
enjoy: If it's simply a handy stunt to get PR a bit of extra publicity I suppose we could just enjoy a quiet giggle.
get: Anyone else got any giggles they can share... .

Adjective modifier

girlish: Had me in fit of girlish giggles every time they said " thankyou " in a Geordie accent, much to Cherb's amusement.
nervous: She laughs nervously, I probably shouldn't say that. There should flat silence, the flutter of nervous giggles.
little: Poor Sarah's little giggle behind the tent flap got picked up by the last person she wanted to hear.

Modifying Another Word

uncontrollably: Users feel relaxed with a general sense of well being, they will often giggle uncontrollably.
helplessly: Reactions go from giggling helplessly to being stunned or even crying!
quietly: Milligan: [ backstage, giggling quietly ] Seagoon: Hmmm, let me see.
again: She giggled again, prompting an annoyed frown on his part.
much: They had a nice time and much giggling was done.

Used with why or when

Preposition: with

glee: He often releases gas to prove a point then giggles with glee in self-amusement, or has a royal diaper rash to contend with.
delight: A trio of schoolboys, giggling with delight, show me the ancient art of making whoopee cushions out of sheep's scrotums.

Preposition: like

schoolgirl: The graphics will melt your eyes and the immature toilet humor of the game will have you giggling like a schoolgirl.

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