Giggles: meaning, definitions and examples

This term is used when someone laughs in a light, silly way, often due to feeling ticklish or embarrassed.

• She couldn't stop the giggles when her friend told her a funny joke.
• The children giggled as they played in the park.

It best fits situations where someone laughs quietly or under their breath, usually because something is mildly funny or amusing.

• He chuckled at the comic strip in the newspaper.
• She gave a soft chuckle during the meeting at her colleague's joke.

This word conveys a sense of mocking or sneering laughter, often when someone laughs quietly in a mean or sly way. It has a negative connotation.

• The students snickered at the teacher's mistake.
• She couldn't help but snicker when he tripped over his untied shoelace.

It describes a type of laugh where someone makes a sudden, loud noise through their nose, often when trying to hold back laughter or when they find something extremely funny.

• He snorted with laughter at the comedian's joke.
• She tried to keep a straight face, but ended up snorting anyway.

Typically used when someone is laughing in a childlike or light-hearted manner, often in response to something amusing or silly.

• The children couldn’t stop their giggles during the funny puppet show.
• She tried to hold back her giggles when she stumbled onstage.

Used to describe a quiet or subdued form of laughter, usually in appreciation of something amusing or clever.

• He gave a quiet chuckle at the witty comment.
• The old man chuckled as he reminisced about his youthful adventures.

This word often has a negative connotation as it refers to a sly, half-suppressed laugh, usually at someone else's expense or because of something rude or mocking.

• The students snickered when the teacher made a mistake.
• She could hear a snicker from the back row during her presentation.

Describes a loud, abrupt, or involuntary laugh often involving a sudden expulsion of air through the nose, sometimes due to something extremely funny or surprising.

• He let out a snort of laughter when he saw the comedian’s antics.
• Her uncontrollable snort had everyone else in fits of laughter.