English Explanatory Dictionary

giggle

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb

To laugh gently in a playful, nervous, or affected manner.

noun

A high-pitched, silly laugh.
Fun; an amusing episode.

Pronunciation

/ˈɡɪɡl̩/ en-us-giggle.ogg

Word forms

giggle giggles giggling giggled

Etymology

Early 16th century, probably of imitative origin. Or, perhaps a frequentative based on dialectal English gig (“to creak”), from Middle English gigen (“to make a creaking sound”) + -le; or perhaps of Dutch or Low German origin: compare Saterland Frisian güüchelje (“to giggle”), West Frisian giechelje (“to giggle”), Dutch giechelen (“to giggle”), German Low German giecheln (“to giggle”), dialectal German giggln, gigglen (“to giggle”), German gickeln (“to giggle”). All of these words are likely onomatopoeic as well. Also compare Alemannic German Guege (“fiddle”).

Synonyms

Derived words

church giggles giggler gigglesome giggling Gertie gigglingly gigglish giggly church giggle giggle academy giggle berries giggle bin giggle box giggledom giggle dust giggle factory gigglefest giggle gas giggle hat giggle house giggle juice gigglement giggle soup giggle stick giggle suit giggle test giggle water giggle waterfor shits and giggles grins and giggles hit and giggle kicks and giggles shits and giggles

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