DictionaryAI

chortle

CHOR-tuhl/ˈt͡ʃɔɹtəl/UKCHAW-tuhl/ˈt͡ʃɔːtəl/

Verbchortles, chortling, chortled

Noun pluralchortles

3 meanings of chortle

Practice

  1. 1
    laugh happilyverbintransitive
    To laugh in a happy way that is partly held in, with a small snorting sound.

    The kids chortle every time the puppy sneezes.

    Grandpa was chortling at his own joke before he even finished it.

    Similarchuckle, laugh, snicker, giggle

    Note
  2. 2
    happy laughnouncountable
    A happy laugh that is partly held in and sounds a bit like a snort.

    She gave a little chortle when she saw the funny photo.

    We could hear his chortles from the next room.

    UsageSay let out a chortle or give a chortle.

    Similarchuckle, laugh, snicker

    Note
  3. 3
    bird soundnouncountable
    A sound some birds make that is like a soft, chuckling laugh.

    A bird in the tree above us let out a soft chortle.

    At dawn the birds' chortles came from every bush in the garden.

Practice

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Origin

Made up by Lewis Carroll for his poem Jabberwocky, perhaps by mixing chuckle and snort.

Checked 30 Oct 2026 · 2 facts