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DictionarytitterQuiet laughter
noun / verb

titter

TIT-er/tˈɪtɝ/

A quiet, nervous or silly laugh.

A nervous titter breaks the silence when she forgets her lines.

A man visibly suppresses a small laugh behind loosely curled fingers, his smiling eyes and raised shoulders conveying restrained amusement; a nearby woman gives him a gentle hush gesture.
Etymology

The verb is probably an imitation of the sound of a suppressed giggle. Its recorded meaning already includes restrained or nervous laughter.

More examples

  • The children titter whenever the teacher says the silly name.
  • A few embarrassed titters followed his awkward joke.
  • She tittered behind her hand during the serious speech.

Forms

titter · titters · tittered · tittering

Similar words

giggle
Suggests light, playful laughter, not necessarily quiet or nervous.
chuckle
Suggests low, relaxed amusement rather than nervousness or silliness.
snicker
Usually suggests mocking laughter rather than merely nervous amusement.