noun / verb
chortle
CHOR-tul/tʃˈɔrtʌl/
A gleeful chuckling laugh, or to laugh this way.
He gives a delighted chortle when the puppy tumbles into the pile of cushions.
Etymology
Lewis Carroll coined chortle, perhaps by blending chuckle and snort. If that suggestion is right, the combination captures the mixed sound of this gleeful laugh.
More examples
- She chortles at the unexpected punch line.
- The children chortled over the silly picture.
- A low chortle escapes him as he reads the note.
Forms
chortle · chortles · chortled · chortling
Similar words
- chuckle
- A chuckle is a quiet laugh; chortle often suggests more obvious glee or satisfaction.