chortle
UK: ˈtʃɔː.təl | US: ˈtʃɔːr.t̬əl
vi. to laugh in a joyful, often breathy manner
n. a gleeful or snorting laugh
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Coined by Lewis Carroll in Through the Looking-Glass (1871) as a blend of chuckle (a quiet laugh) and snort (a noisy breath). The playful fusion reflects the sound and whimsy of the laugh itself, embodying Carroll’s love for linguistic invention. The suffix -le mimics patterns in verbs like giggle or cackle, reinforcing its association with laughter.
The comedian’s joke made the audience chortle uncontrollably.
She gave a quiet chortle at the memory of their inside joke.
His chortle turned heads in the silent library.
The baby’s chortle was infectious, brightening the room.
Even the stern teacher couldn’t suppress a chortle at the student’s clever remark.