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to chortle

to chortle

7 7.7
To laugh quietly with pleasure, often with a small snort
  • verb
  • /ˈtʃɔːrtəl/
translation icon : reírse suavemente
  • I couldn't help but chortle when I saw the funny cartoon on the wall.
  • chortled with glee
  • man chortled
  • just chortled

Oh, man, I I have just chortled at your ridiculous brain for for many years and for real.

Examples

  • Myles looked up placidly and spread his hands wide, chortling the whole while in that private part of his soul.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Seeing his friends laugh, the earring man chortled, setting his jewelry in chaotic motion.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • "Yes, my boy, this is the life," chortled The Great One.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • "Different business from the movies," he chortled, but didn't explain.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • Why do you chortle?

  • We were happy checking obituaries each day, and chortling over the passing of generals and presidents.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • "And you have the weak eyes too, as did our father," Ivor chortled sarcastically.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • "Lordy," Mrs. Harker chortled, "no great harm done, and he did just what he had to do."

    Fiction book (1991)
  • Both boys had chortled and smirked, obviously embarrassed, but she didn't care.

    Academic text (2007)
  • We will wrestle like you have never seen before!" chortled Kazu, slapping Daguna's shoulder.

    Academic text (1992)

Synonyms

to laugh
vsto chortle
1.0

To make sounds and move your face or body because something is funny

is more specific, being a joyful snorting form rather than general amusement
to chuckle
vsto chortle
237 2.0

To laugh quietly to yourself when something is slightly funny

is more gleeful and often includes a snorting audible sound
to giggle
vsto chortle
153 1.0

Laugh in a silly or nervous way with short high sounds

is lower and more gleeful, often producing a snorting sound
to laugh softly
vsto chortle
3 1.9

To make a quiet sound because something is funny so you do not disturb others

is louder and more gleeful, often with a snorting sound
to titter
vsto chortle
3 7.4

To laugh in a short nervous way at something slightly funny or awkward

is joyful and gleeful rather than nervous or restrained

Antonyms

1.0

To let tears fall because you feel sad or hurt

How Loud

to guffaw
4 6.5
to laugh
1.0
to chortle
7 7.7
to chuckle
237 2.0

Surface Forms

chortle infinitive
chortled past
chortled past participle
chortling present participle
chortles third person singular

Etymology

Chortle was invented by Lewis Carroll by mixing chuckle 'a quiet laugh' and snort 'a short noise from the nose', giving the image of breathing out a happy little laugh. So, to chortle is to laugh happily in a small, slightly noisy way.