giggle

Everyday

1. To laugh in a quick, high, silly way, often because something is funny or because you are nervous or shy. tree →
2. (noun) A laugh like that. tree →
3. (the giggles) A time when you cannot stop giggling. tree →
4. (UK informal, a giggle) Something fun: «It was a good giggle». tree →

In the lessons

In stories, giggling tells the reader that characters, often children, are having fun or sharing a secret. In class: «Stop giggling and listen» — giggling at the wrong time can be rude, and giggling at someone can hurt them. Phrases: «get the giggles», «have a fit of the giggles», «for a giggle».

Examples

• The babies giggled when I made funny faces. tree →
• We got the giggles during assembly and couldn't stop. tree →
• She gave a nervous giggle. tree →
• Please stop giggling and get on with your work. tree →
• The jokes made everyone giggle. tree →
• They were giggling about a secret. tree →
• Tickling makes my sister giggle. tree →
• And the reporters giggled, and each dropped a blot of ink on the floor. tree →

Note

Verb: giggled, giggling (drop e). «Giggle» is lighter and sillier than «laugh»; «chuckle» is a quiet, low laugh; «snigger/snicker» is an unkind laugh.