chortle
Say it: CHOR-tul /ˈtʃɔːt(ə)l/ · verb
What “chortle” means
To laugh with delighted, breathy little bursts.
More precisely: To laugh in a gleeful, breathy way.
Example: “He chortled at his own joke before he'd even finished telling it.”
When to use it
Use it for pleased, breathy laughter, often when someone enjoys a joke or feels delighted with themselves.
Memory trick
The word probably blends chuckle and snort: imagine a delighted laugh with little snorts.
Similar words
chuckle, cackle, laugh
Where it comes from
Coined by Lewis Carroll in Through the Looking-Glass, probably blending chuckle and snort.
Quick check
You spot your dog asleep with all four paws pointing upwards and laugh in delighted, breathy bursts. You…
chortle or scoff?
Show the answer
chortle
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