Word for a small burst of laughter that can't be held backA subsidiary company which works for a parent company, but it has its own independent commercial affairsShe wants to 'poop' -is that okay if used for humans?Word for 'go for the worse choice because the better one is unavailable'?Is there a single word for “very likely”?A story about Webster and one word for people who carry on false informationEnglish word for 'make someone feel in debt to you'Word for describing a predominant orientation for an academic degreeWhat is the English word for the tests that are made by a memory of people?Word for fear that a book might not be up to our expectationIs there a verb that means “repurpose a religious building for the needs of a different religious group”?
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Word for a small burst of laughter that can't be held back
A subsidiary company which works for a parent company, but it has its own independent commercial affairsShe wants to 'poop' -is that okay if used for humans?Word for 'go for the worse choice because the better one is unavailable'?Is there a single word for “very likely”?A story about Webster and one word for people who carry on false informationEnglish word for 'make someone feel in debt to you'Word for describing a predominant orientation for an academic degreeWhat is the English word for the tests that are made by a memory of people?Word for fear that a book might not be up to our expectationIs there a verb that means “repurpose a religious building for the needs of a different religious group”?
.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__bot-mid-leaderboard:empty margin-bottom:0;
What do you call the small burst of laugh that people let out when they want to refrain from laughing, but can't? You know the "pfft" sound? I am not sure if it only happens when you refrain from laughing, but yeah some people I guess laugh like that.
word-request
edited May 30 at 20:13
J.R.♦
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asked May 30 at 0:43
blackbirdblackbird
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add a comment |
What do you call the small burst of laugh that people let out when they want to refrain from laughing, but can't? You know the "pfft" sound? I am not sure if it only happens when you refrain from laughing, but yeah some people I guess laugh like that.
word-request
edited May 30 at 20:13
J.R.♦
101k8131252
asked May 30 at 0:43
blackbirdblackbird
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add a comment |
What do you call the small burst of laugh that people let out when they want to refrain from laughing, but can't? You know the "pfft" sound? I am not sure if it only happens when you refrain from laughing, but yeah some people I guess laugh like that.
word-request
edited May 30 at 20:13
J.R.♦
101k8131252
asked May 30 at 0:43
blackbirdblackbird
1,648928
What do you call the small burst of laugh that people let out when they want to refrain from laughing, but can't? You know the "pfft" sound? I am not sure if it only happens when you refrain from laughing, but yeah some people I guess laugh like that.
word-request
word-request
edited May 30 at 20:13
J.R.♦
101k8131252
asked May 30 at 0:43
blackbirdblackbird
1,648928
edited May 30 at 20:13
J.R.♦
101k8131252
asked May 30 at 0:43
blackbirdblackbird
1,648928
edited May 30 at 20:13
J.R.♦
101k8131252
edited May 30 at 20:13
J.R.♦
101k8131252
edited May 30 at 20:13
J.R.♦
101k8131252
101k8131252
asked May 30 at 0:43
blackbirdblackbird
1,648928
asked May 30 at 0:43
blackbirdblackbird
1,648928
asked May 30 at 0:43
blackbirdblackbird
1,648928
1,648928
add a comment |
add a comment |
7 Answers
7
active
oldest
votes
You might call it a stifled laugh, as in, “Mary tried to contain herself, but couldn’t help letting out a stifled laugh.” You could also use the word snicker (either as a verb or noun) or possibly titter - though the latter might sound a little dated and silly.
answered May 30 at 0:51
MixolydianMixolydian
7,8951219
5
People might snicker or titter at the word "titter".
– Monty Harder
May 30 at 22:14
3
('snigger' would be the normal spelling in British English) 'Snorted' is commonly used for this, particularly when the noise is 'explosive' rather than stifled.
– Mike Brockington
May 31 at 16:23
This sounds very strange to me; in my experience, to stifle a laugh is to completely prevent it (which aligns with the definition at collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/stifle ); so "letting out a stifled laugh" sounds like a contradiction in terms.
– ruakh
May 31 at 20:55
@ruakh I hear you, but I think "to stifle" can also mean "to attempt to hold back" or "to partially hold back" - that's what I had in mind here. A small sound might still come out despite one's best efforts not to laugh.
– Mixolydian
May 31 at 21:47
@MikeBrockington As an AmE speaker, that particular spelling is a bit too close to a slur to be comfortable, so be careful.
– Hearth
Jun 1 at 22:48
add a comment |
This "pfft" could be called a "snicker".
Also, sometimes the stifled laugh comes out not as a "pfft" but more of a "snort" if you try to keep the laugh inside by shutting your mouth.
At deviantart.com, you can see the entirety of a cartoon titled
"What are you Laughing at?"
It may be hard to read because the lettering is so small, but the characters are trying not to laugh, and are emitting the words "snicker" & "snort" (highlighted in yellow) instead.
edited May 30 at 21:15
J.R.♦
101k8131252
answered May 30 at 1:32
Lorel C.Lorel C.
6,4631614
8
British English would use snigger rather than snicker (presumably its a different onomatopoeia for the same sound.) Its worth noting that while this is indeed completely unrelated to certain well known N words, it may be better to avoid it as there is a common thread of people assuming that anyone who use a word that sounds like that is merely trying to bowdlerise/veil the insult (see also niggardly)
– Wenlocke
May 30 at 9:20
1
@Wenlocke Snigger is interchangeable with snicker in American English though less common. There is also little danger of a racist misinterpretation. While "niggardly" could potentially be incorrectly deduced by someone unfamiliar with the term to be an adverb form of the slur, the context in which "snigger" is likely to be used is not conducive to such misunderstanding. (E.g. it would be a far stretch for someone to think "Upon hearing John's joke, Sarah let out a snigger," meant that Sarah freed a black person from confinement.)
– jmbpiano
May 30 at 18:26
snigger and snicker can be mean. You are not stifling a laugh when you do that .
– Lambie
May 31 at 19:25
add a comment |
How about Titter? I came across it a while ago doing a crossword on a plane.
titter
/ˈtɪtə/
verb
verb: titter; 3rd person present: titters; past tense: tittered; past
participle: tittered; gerund or present participle: tittering
- give a short, half-suppressed laugh; giggle.
"her stutter caused the children to titter"
synonyms: giggle, snigger, snicker, tee-hee, give a half-suppressed laugh, chuckle;
noun
noun: titter; plural noun: titters
- a short, half-suppressed laugh.
"there were titters from the gallery"
synonyms: giggle, snigger, snicker, tee-hee, half-suppressed laugh, chuckle;
edited May 30 at 17:37
EvilDr
1033
answered May 30 at 4:01
Hani UmerHani Umer
1985
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Hani Umer is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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1
I might use this as an author to an English audience with a large vocabulary, but in 30 years I've never heard or read it in conversation or literature. I'd steer clear of this one
– automaton
May 31 at 13:47
1
@automaton Tittering is the kind of word one sees in novels and is associated with delicate laughing by women.
– Lambie
May 31 at 19:24
add a comment |
How about the word snort. It could be used in a sentence like:
When Nick told his wife about the narrow escape from a traffic ticket Betty tried to withhold a chuckle that came out as a snort.
answered May 31 at 3:53
Michael KarasMichael Karas
1813
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add a comment |
According to wordhippo, a suppressed laugh is:
A half-suppressed, typically scornful laugh
The site also offers these synonyms:
snigger, snicker, giggle, chortle, sneer, cackle, chuckle, guffaw, simper
edited May 30 at 19:34
J.R.♦
101k8131252
answered May 30 at 16:37
Michael BrandeisMichael Brandeis
411
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Michael Brandeis is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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1
I see no reason for downvoting those synonyms. My goodness, people are so unfair. I would say that guffaw is the only one that does not fit. :)
– Lambie
May 31 at 19:26
1
Possibly simper.
– Brandon_J
May 31 at 20:06
2
@Lambie - Most of the downvotes on this answer came before it was edited and improved. (The original version is here.)
– J.R.♦
May 31 at 20:34
add a comment |
I tend to think of guffaw, although Merriam-Webster says this is "loud laughter," how about a stifled guffaw?
answered May 31 at 19:20
L OL O
111
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L O is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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add a comment |
I think at this point pfft is an onomatopoeia.
It's a part of my vocabulary at least, but it's more like a stand in for the word pashaw. Which is an exclamation about the hilarity of an incredulous situation. It's a way to 'call bullshit' without swearing, or to preserve the lightheartedness of a conversation.
He let out a pfft but I wasn't sure if he was actually annoyed, or just trying to not hurt my feelings by laughing it off.
answered Jun 1 at 0:14
MazuraMazura
25417
add a comment |
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7 Answers
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active
oldest
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7 Answers
7
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oldest
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You might call it a stifled laugh, as in, “Mary tried to contain herself, but couldn’t help letting out a stifled laugh.” You could also use the word snicker (either as a verb or noun) or possibly titter - though the latter might sound a little dated and silly.
answered May 30 at 0:51
MixolydianMixolydian
7,8951219
5
People might snicker or titter at the word "titter".
– Monty Harder
May 30 at 22:14
3
('snigger' would be the normal spelling in British English) 'Snorted' is commonly used for this, particularly when the noise is 'explosive' rather than stifled.
– Mike Brockington
May 31 at 16:23
This sounds very strange to me; in my experience, to stifle a laugh is to completely prevent it (which aligns with the definition at collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/stifle ); so "letting out a stifled laugh" sounds like a contradiction in terms.
– ruakh
May 31 at 20:55
@ruakh I hear you, but I think "to stifle" can also mean "to attempt to hold back" or "to partially hold back" - that's what I had in mind here. A small sound might still come out despite one's best efforts not to laugh.
– Mixolydian
May 31 at 21:47
@MikeBrockington As an AmE speaker, that particular spelling is a bit too close to a slur to be comfortable, so be careful.
– Hearth
Jun 1 at 22:48
add a comment |
You might call it a stifled laugh, as in, “Mary tried to contain herself, but couldn’t help letting out a stifled laugh.” You could also use the word snicker (either as a verb or noun) or possibly titter - though the latter might sound a little dated and silly.
answered May 30 at 0:51
MixolydianMixolydian
7,8951219
5
People might snicker or titter at the word "titter".
– Monty Harder
May 30 at 22:14
3
('snigger' would be the normal spelling in British English) 'Snorted' is commonly used for this, particularly when the noise is 'explosive' rather than stifled.
– Mike Brockington
May 31 at 16:23
This sounds very strange to me; in my experience, to stifle a laugh is to completely prevent it (which aligns with the definition at collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/stifle ); so "letting out a stifled laugh" sounds like a contradiction in terms.
– ruakh
May 31 at 20:55
@ruakh I hear you, but I think "to stifle" can also mean "to attempt to hold back" or "to partially hold back" - that's what I had in mind here. A small sound might still come out despite one's best efforts not to laugh.
– Mixolydian
May 31 at 21:47
@MikeBrockington As an AmE speaker, that particular spelling is a bit too close to a slur to be comfortable, so be careful.
– Hearth
Jun 1 at 22:48
add a comment |
You might call it a stifled laugh, as in, “Mary tried to contain herself, but couldn’t help letting out a stifled laugh.” You could also use the word snicker (either as a verb or noun) or possibly titter - though the latter might sound a little dated and silly.
answered May 30 at 0:51
MixolydianMixolydian
7,8951219
You might call it a stifled laugh, as in, “Mary tried to contain herself, but couldn’t help letting out a stifled laugh.” You could also use the word snicker (either as a verb or noun) or possibly titter - though the latter might sound a little dated and silly.
answered May 30 at 0:51
MixolydianMixolydian
7,8951219
answered May 30 at 0:51
MixolydianMixolydian
7,8951219
answered May 30 at 0:51
MixolydianMixolydian
7,8951219
answered May 30 at 0:51
MixolydianMixolydian
7,8951219
7,8951219
5
People might snicker or titter at the word "titter".
– Monty Harder
May 30 at 22:14
3
('snigger' would be the normal spelling in British English) 'Snorted' is commonly used for this, particularly when the noise is 'explosive' rather than stifled.
– Mike Brockington
May 31 at 16:23
This sounds very strange to me; in my experience, to stifle a laugh is to completely prevent it (which aligns with the definition at collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/stifle ); so "letting out a stifled laugh" sounds like a contradiction in terms.
– ruakh
May 31 at 20:55
@ruakh I hear you, but I think "to stifle" can also mean "to attempt to hold back" or "to partially hold back" - that's what I had in mind here. A small sound might still come out despite one's best efforts not to laugh.
– Mixolydian
May 31 at 21:47
@MikeBrockington As an AmE speaker, that particular spelling is a bit too close to a slur to be comfortable, so be careful.
– Hearth
Jun 1 at 22:48
add a comment |
5
People might snicker or titter at the word "titter".
– Monty Harder
May 30 at 22:14
3
('snigger' would be the normal spelling in British English) 'Snorted' is commonly used for this, particularly when the noise is 'explosive' rather than stifled.
– Mike Brockington
May 31 at 16:23
This sounds very strange to me; in my experience, to stifle a laugh is to completely prevent it (which aligns with the definition at collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/stifle ); so "letting out a stifled laugh" sounds like a contradiction in terms.
– ruakh
May 31 at 20:55
@ruakh I hear you, but I think "to stifle" can also mean "to attempt to hold back" or "to partially hold back" - that's what I had in mind here. A small sound might still come out despite one's best efforts not to laugh.
– Mixolydian
May 31 at 21:47
@MikeBrockington As an AmE speaker, that particular spelling is a bit too close to a slur to be comfortable, so be careful.
– Hearth
Jun 1 at 22:48
5
5
People might snicker or titter at the word "titter".
– Monty Harder
May 30 at 22:14
People might snicker or titter at the word "titter".
– Monty Harder
May 30 at 22:14
3
3
('snigger' would be the normal spelling in British English) 'Snorted' is commonly used for this, particularly when the noise is 'explosive' rather than stifled.
– Mike Brockington
May 31 at 16:23
('snigger' would be the normal spelling in British English) 'Snorted' is commonly used for this, particularly when the noise is 'explosive' rather than stifled.
– Mike Brockington
May 31 at 16:23
This sounds very strange to me; in my experience, to stifle a laugh is to completely prevent it (which aligns with the definition at collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/stifle ); so "letting out a stifled laugh" sounds like a contradiction in terms.
– ruakh
May 31 at 20:55
This sounds very strange to me; in my experience, to stifle a laugh is to completely prevent it (which aligns with the definition at collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/stifle ); so "letting out a stifled laugh" sounds like a contradiction in terms.
– ruakh
May 31 at 20:55
@ruakh I hear you, but I think "to stifle" can also mean "to attempt to hold back" or "to partially hold back" - that's what I had in mind here. A small sound might still come out despite one's best efforts not to laugh.
– Mixolydian
May 31 at 21:47
@ruakh I hear you, but I think "to stifle" can also mean "to attempt to hold back" or "to partially hold back" - that's what I had in mind here. A small sound might still come out despite one's best efforts not to laugh.
– Mixolydian
May 31 at 21:47
@MikeBrockington As an AmE speaker, that particular spelling is a bit too close to a slur to be comfortable, so be careful.
– Hearth
Jun 1 at 22:48
@MikeBrockington As an AmE speaker, that particular spelling is a bit too close to a slur to be comfortable, so be careful.
– Hearth
Jun 1 at 22:48
add a comment |
This "pfft" could be called a "snicker".
Also, sometimes the stifled laugh comes out not as a "pfft" but more of a "snort" if you try to keep the laugh inside by shutting your mouth.
At deviantart.com, you can see the entirety of a cartoon titled
"What are you Laughing at?"
It may be hard to read because the lettering is so small, but the characters are trying not to laugh, and are emitting the words "snicker" & "snort" (highlighted in yellow) instead.
edited May 30 at 21:15
J.R.♦
101k8131252
answered May 30 at 1:32
Lorel C.Lorel C.
6,4631614
8
British English would use snigger rather than snicker (presumably its a different onomatopoeia for the same sound.) Its worth noting that while this is indeed completely unrelated to certain well known N words, it may be better to avoid it as there is a common thread of people assuming that anyone who use a word that sounds like that is merely trying to bowdlerise/veil the insult (see also niggardly)
– Wenlocke
May 30 at 9:20
1
@Wenlocke Snigger is interchangeable with snicker in American English though less common. There is also little danger of a racist misinterpretation. While "niggardly" could potentially be incorrectly deduced by someone unfamiliar with the term to be an adverb form of the slur, the context in which "snigger" is likely to be used is not conducive to such misunderstanding. (E.g. it would be a far stretch for someone to think "Upon hearing John's joke, Sarah let out a snigger," meant that Sarah freed a black person from confinement.)
– jmbpiano
May 30 at 18:26
snigger and snicker can be mean. You are not stifling a laugh when you do that .
– Lambie
May 31 at 19:25
add a comment |
This "pfft" could be called a "snicker".
Also, sometimes the stifled laugh comes out not as a "pfft" but more of a "snort" if you try to keep the laugh inside by shutting your mouth.
At deviantart.com, you can see the entirety of a cartoon titled
"What are you Laughing at?"
It may be hard to read because the lettering is so small, but the characters are trying not to laugh, and are emitting the words "snicker" & "snort" (highlighted in yellow) instead.
edited May 30 at 21:15
J.R.♦
101k8131252
answered May 30 at 1:32
Lorel C.Lorel C.
6,4631614
8
British English would use snigger rather than snicker (presumably its a different onomatopoeia for the same sound.) Its worth noting that while this is indeed completely unrelated to certain well known N words, it may be better to avoid it as there is a common thread of people assuming that anyone who use a word that sounds like that is merely trying to bowdlerise/veil the insult (see also niggardly)
– Wenlocke
May 30 at 9:20
1
@Wenlocke Snigger is interchangeable with snicker in American English though less common. There is also little danger of a racist misinterpretation. While "niggardly" could potentially be incorrectly deduced by someone unfamiliar with the term to be an adverb form of the slur, the context in which "snigger" is likely to be used is not conducive to such misunderstanding. (E.g. it would be a far stretch for someone to think "Upon hearing John's joke, Sarah let out a snigger," meant that Sarah freed a black person from confinement.)
– jmbpiano
May 30 at 18:26
snigger and snicker can be mean. You are not stifling a laugh when you do that .
– Lambie
May 31 at 19:25
add a comment |
This "pfft" could be called a "snicker".
Also, sometimes the stifled laugh comes out not as a "pfft" but more of a "snort" if you try to keep the laugh inside by shutting your mouth.
At deviantart.com, you can see the entirety of a cartoon titled
"What are you Laughing at?"
It may be hard to read because the lettering is so small, but the characters are trying not to laugh, and are emitting the words "snicker" & "snort" (highlighted in yellow) instead.
edited May 30 at 21:15
J.R.♦
101k8131252
answered May 30 at 1:32
Lorel C.Lorel C.
6,4631614
This "pfft" could be called a "snicker".
Also, sometimes the stifled laugh comes out not as a "pfft" but more of a "snort" if you try to keep the laugh inside by shutting your mouth.
At deviantart.com, you can see the entirety of a cartoon titled
"What are you Laughing at?"
It may be hard to read because the lettering is so small, but the characters are trying not to laugh, and are emitting the words "snicker" & "snort" (highlighted in yellow) instead.
edited May 30 at 21:15
J.R.♦
101k8131252
answered May 30 at 1:32
Lorel C.Lorel C.
6,4631614
edited May 30 at 21:15
J.R.♦
101k8131252
edited May 30 at 21:15
J.R.♦
101k8131252
edited May 30 at 21:15
J.R.♦
101k8131252
101k8131252
answered May 30 at 1:32
Lorel C.Lorel C.
6,4631614
answered May 30 at 1:32
Lorel C.Lorel C.
6,4631614
answered May 30 at 1:32
Lorel C.Lorel C.
6,4631614
6,4631614
8
British English would use snigger rather than snicker (presumably its a different onomatopoeia for the same sound.) Its worth noting that while this is indeed completely unrelated to certain well known N words, it may be better to avoid it as there is a common thread of people assuming that anyone who use a word that sounds like that is merely trying to bowdlerise/veil the insult (see also niggardly)
– Wenlocke
May 30 at 9:20
1
@Wenlocke Snigger is interchangeable with snicker in American English though less common. There is also little danger of a racist misinterpretation. While "niggardly" could potentially be incorrectly deduced by someone unfamiliar with the term to be an adverb form of the slur, the context in which "snigger" is likely to be used is not conducive to such misunderstanding. (E.g. it would be a far stretch for someone to think "Upon hearing John's joke, Sarah let out a snigger," meant that Sarah freed a black person from confinement.)
– jmbpiano
May 30 at 18:26
snigger and snicker can be mean. You are not stifling a laugh when you do that .
– Lambie
May 31 at 19:25
add a comment |
8
British English would use snigger rather than snicker (presumably its a different onomatopoeia for the same sound.) Its worth noting that while this is indeed completely unrelated to certain well known N words, it may be better to avoid it as there is a common thread of people assuming that anyone who use a word that sounds like that is merely trying to bowdlerise/veil the insult (see also niggardly)
– Wenlocke
May 30 at 9:20
1
@Wenlocke Snigger is interchangeable with snicker in American English though less common. There is also little danger of a racist misinterpretation. While "niggardly" could potentially be incorrectly deduced by someone unfamiliar with the term to be an adverb form of the slur, the context in which "snigger" is likely to be used is not conducive to such misunderstanding. (E.g. it would be a far stretch for someone to think "Upon hearing John's joke, Sarah let out a snigger," meant that Sarah freed a black person from confinement.)
– jmbpiano
May 30 at 18:26
snigger and snicker can be mean. You are not stifling a laugh when you do that .
– Lambie
May 31 at 19:25
8
8
British English would use snigger rather than snicker (presumably its a different onomatopoeia for the same sound.) Its worth noting that while this is indeed completely unrelated to certain well known N words, it may be better to avoid it as there is a common thread of people assuming that anyone who use a word that sounds like that is merely trying to bowdlerise/veil the insult (see also niggardly)
– Wenlocke
May 30 at 9:20
British English would use snigger rather than snicker (presumably its a different onomatopoeia for the same sound.) Its worth noting that while this is indeed completely unrelated to certain well known N words, it may be better to avoid it as there is a common thread of people assuming that anyone who use a word that sounds like that is merely trying to bowdlerise/veil the insult (see also niggardly)
– Wenlocke
May 30 at 9:20
1
1
@Wenlocke Snigger is interchangeable with snicker in American English though less common. There is also little danger of a racist misinterpretation. While "niggardly" could potentially be incorrectly deduced by someone unfamiliar with the term to be an adverb form of the slur, the context in which "snigger" is likely to be used is not conducive to such misunderstanding. (E.g. it would be a far stretch for someone to think "Upon hearing John's joke, Sarah let out a snigger," meant that Sarah freed a black person from confinement.)
– jmbpiano
May 30 at 18:26
@Wenlocke Snigger is interchangeable with snicker in American English though less common. There is also little danger of a racist misinterpretation. While "niggardly" could potentially be incorrectly deduced by someone unfamiliar with the term to be an adverb form of the slur, the context in which "snigger" is likely to be used is not conducive to such misunderstanding. (E.g. it would be a far stretch for someone to think "Upon hearing John's joke, Sarah let out a snigger," meant that Sarah freed a black person from confinement.)
– jmbpiano
May 30 at 18:26
snigger and snicker can be mean. You are not stifling a laugh when you do that .
– Lambie
May 31 at 19:25
snigger and snicker can be mean. You are not stifling a laugh when you do that .
– Lambie
May 31 at 19:25
add a comment |
How about Titter? I came across it a while ago doing a crossword on a plane.
titter
/ˈtɪtə/
verb
verb: titter; 3rd person present: titters; past tense: tittered; past
participle: tittered; gerund or present participle: tittering
- give a short, half-suppressed laugh; giggle.
"her stutter caused the children to titter"
synonyms: giggle, snigger, snicker, tee-hee, give a half-suppressed laugh, chuckle;
noun
noun: titter; plural noun: titters
- a short, half-suppressed laugh.
"there were titters from the gallery"
synonyms: giggle, snigger, snicker, tee-hee, half-suppressed laugh, chuckle;
edited May 30 at 17:37
EvilDr
1033
answered May 30 at 4:01
Hani UmerHani Umer
1985
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1
I might use this as an author to an English audience with a large vocabulary, but in 30 years I've never heard or read it in conversation or literature. I'd steer clear of this one
– automaton
May 31 at 13:47
1
@automaton Tittering is the kind of word one sees in novels and is associated with delicate laughing by women.
– Lambie
May 31 at 19:24
add a comment |
How about Titter? I came across it a while ago doing a crossword on a plane.
titter
/ˈtɪtə/
verb
verb: titter; 3rd person present: titters; past tense: tittered; past
participle: tittered; gerund or present participle: tittering
- give a short, half-suppressed laugh; giggle.
"her stutter caused the children to titter"
synonyms: giggle, snigger, snicker, tee-hee, give a half-suppressed laugh, chuckle;
noun
noun: titter; plural noun: titters
- a short, half-suppressed laugh.
"there were titters from the gallery"
synonyms: giggle, snigger, snicker, tee-hee, half-suppressed laugh, chuckle;
edited May 30 at 17:37
EvilDr
1033
answered May 30 at 4:01
Hani UmerHani Umer
1985
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1
I might use this as an author to an English audience with a large vocabulary, but in 30 years I've never heard or read it in conversation or literature. I'd steer clear of this one
– automaton
May 31 at 13:47
1
@automaton Tittering is the kind of word one sees in novels and is associated with delicate laughing by women.
– Lambie
May 31 at 19:24
add a comment |
How about Titter? I came across it a while ago doing a crossword on a plane.
titter
/ˈtɪtə/
verb
verb: titter; 3rd person present: titters; past tense: tittered; past
participle: tittered; gerund or present participle: tittering
- give a short, half-suppressed laugh; giggle.
"her stutter caused the children to titter"
synonyms: giggle, snigger, snicker, tee-hee, give a half-suppressed laugh, chuckle;
noun
noun: titter; plural noun: titters
- a short, half-suppressed laugh.
"there were titters from the gallery"
synonyms: giggle, snigger, snicker, tee-hee, half-suppressed laugh, chuckle;
edited May 30 at 17:37
EvilDr
1033
answered May 30 at 4:01
Hani UmerHani Umer
1985
New contributor
Hani Umer is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
How about Titter? I came across it a while ago doing a crossword on a plane.
titter
/ˈtɪtə/
verb
verb: titter; 3rd person present: titters; past tense: tittered; past
participle: tittered; gerund or present participle: tittering
- give a short, half-suppressed laugh; giggle.
"her stutter caused the children to titter"
synonyms: giggle, snigger, snicker, tee-hee, give a half-suppressed laugh, chuckle;
noun
noun: titter; plural noun: titters
- a short, half-suppressed laugh.
"there were titters from the gallery"
synonyms: giggle, snigger, snicker, tee-hee, half-suppressed laugh, chuckle;
edited May 30 at 17:37
EvilDr
1033
answered May 30 at 4:01
Hani UmerHani Umer
1985
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edited May 30 at 17:37
EvilDr
1033
edited May 30 at 17:37
EvilDr
1033
edited May 30 at 17:37
EvilDr
1033
1033
answered May 30 at 4:01
Hani UmerHani Umer
1985
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answered May 30 at 4:01
Hani UmerHani Umer
1985
answered May 30 at 4:01
Hani UmerHani Umer
1985
1985
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1
I might use this as an author to an English audience with a large vocabulary, but in 30 years I've never heard or read it in conversation or literature. I'd steer clear of this one
– automaton
May 31 at 13:47
1
@automaton Tittering is the kind of word one sees in novels and is associated with delicate laughing by women.
– Lambie
May 31 at 19:24
add a comment |
1
I might use this as an author to an English audience with a large vocabulary, but in 30 years I've never heard or read it in conversation or literature. I'd steer clear of this one
– automaton
May 31 at 13:47
1
@automaton Tittering is the kind of word one sees in novels and is associated with delicate laughing by women.
– Lambie
May 31 at 19:24
1
1
I might use this as an author to an English audience with a large vocabulary, but in 30 years I've never heard or read it in conversation or literature. I'd steer clear of this one
– automaton
May 31 at 13:47
I might use this as an author to an English audience with a large vocabulary, but in 30 years I've never heard or read it in conversation or literature. I'd steer clear of this one
– automaton
May 31 at 13:47
1
1
@automaton Tittering is the kind of word one sees in novels and is associated with delicate laughing by women.
– Lambie
May 31 at 19:24
@automaton Tittering is the kind of word one sees in novels and is associated with delicate laughing by women.
– Lambie
May 31 at 19:24
add a comment |
How about the word snort. It could be used in a sentence like:
When Nick told his wife about the narrow escape from a traffic ticket Betty tried to withhold a chuckle that came out as a snort.
answered May 31 at 3:53
Michael KarasMichael Karas
1813
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How about the word snort. It could be used in a sentence like:
When Nick told his wife about the narrow escape from a traffic ticket Betty tried to withhold a chuckle that came out as a snort.
answered May 31 at 3:53
Michael KarasMichael Karas
1813
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How about the word snort. It could be used in a sentence like:
When Nick told his wife about the narrow escape from a traffic ticket Betty tried to withhold a chuckle that came out as a snort.
answered May 31 at 3:53
Michael KarasMichael Karas
1813
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How about the word snort. It could be used in a sentence like:
When Nick told his wife about the narrow escape from a traffic ticket Betty tried to withhold a chuckle that came out as a snort.
answered May 31 at 3:53
Michael KarasMichael Karas
1813
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answered May 31 at 3:53
Michael KarasMichael Karas
1813
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answered May 31 at 3:53
Michael KarasMichael Karas
1813
answered May 31 at 3:53
Michael KarasMichael Karas
1813
1813
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add a comment |
add a comment |
According to wordhippo, a suppressed laugh is:
A half-suppressed, typically scornful laugh
The site also offers these synonyms:
snigger, snicker, giggle, chortle, sneer, cackle, chuckle, guffaw, simper
edited May 30 at 19:34
J.R.♦
101k8131252
answered May 30 at 16:37
Michael BrandeisMichael Brandeis
411
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1
I see no reason for downvoting those synonyms. My goodness, people are so unfair. I would say that guffaw is the only one that does not fit. :)
– Lambie
May 31 at 19:26
1
Possibly simper.
– Brandon_J
May 31 at 20:06
2
@Lambie - Most of the downvotes on this answer came before it was edited and improved. (The original version is here.)
– J.R.♦
May 31 at 20:34
add a comment |
According to wordhippo, a suppressed laugh is:
A half-suppressed, typically scornful laugh
The site also offers these synonyms:
snigger, snicker, giggle, chortle, sneer, cackle, chuckle, guffaw, simper
edited May 30 at 19:34
J.R.♦
101k8131252
answered May 30 at 16:37
Michael BrandeisMichael Brandeis
411
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1
I see no reason for downvoting those synonyms. My goodness, people are so unfair. I would say that guffaw is the only one that does not fit. :)
– Lambie
May 31 at 19:26
1
Possibly simper.
– Brandon_J
May 31 at 20:06
2
@Lambie - Most of the downvotes on this answer came before it was edited and improved. (The original version is here.)
– J.R.♦
May 31 at 20:34
add a comment |
According to wordhippo, a suppressed laugh is:
A half-suppressed, typically scornful laugh
The site also offers these synonyms:
snigger, snicker, giggle, chortle, sneer, cackle, chuckle, guffaw, simper
edited May 30 at 19:34
J.R.♦
101k8131252
answered May 30 at 16:37
Michael BrandeisMichael Brandeis
411
New contributor
Michael Brandeis is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
According to wordhippo, a suppressed laugh is:
A half-suppressed, typically scornful laugh
The site also offers these synonyms:
snigger, snicker, giggle, chortle, sneer, cackle, chuckle, guffaw, simper
edited May 30 at 19:34
J.R.♦
101k8131252
answered May 30 at 16:37
Michael BrandeisMichael Brandeis
411
New contributor
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edited May 30 at 19:34
J.R.♦
101k8131252
edited May 30 at 19:34
J.R.♦
101k8131252
edited May 30 at 19:34
J.R.♦
101k8131252
101k8131252
answered May 30 at 16:37
Michael BrandeisMichael Brandeis
411
New contributor
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answered May 30 at 16:37
Michael BrandeisMichael Brandeis
411
answered May 30 at 16:37
Michael BrandeisMichael Brandeis
411
411
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1
I see no reason for downvoting those synonyms. My goodness, people are so unfair. I would say that guffaw is the only one that does not fit. :)
– Lambie
May 31 at 19:26
1
Possibly simper.
– Brandon_J
May 31 at 20:06
2
@Lambie - Most of the downvotes on this answer came before it was edited and improved. (The original version is here.)
– J.R.♦
May 31 at 20:34
add a comment |
1
I see no reason for downvoting those synonyms. My goodness, people are so unfair. I would say that guffaw is the only one that does not fit. :)
– Lambie
May 31 at 19:26
1
Possibly simper.
– Brandon_J
May 31 at 20:06
2
@Lambie - Most of the downvotes on this answer came before it was edited and improved. (The original version is here.)
– J.R.♦
May 31 at 20:34
1
1
I see no reason for downvoting those synonyms. My goodness, people are so unfair. I would say that guffaw is the only one that does not fit. :)
– Lambie
May 31 at 19:26
I see no reason for downvoting those synonyms. My goodness, people are so unfair. I would say that guffaw is the only one that does not fit. :)
– Lambie
May 31 at 19:26
1
1
Possibly simper.
– Brandon_J
May 31 at 20:06
Possibly simper.
– Brandon_J
May 31 at 20:06
2
2
@Lambie - Most of the downvotes on this answer came before it was edited and improved. (The original version is here.)
– J.R.♦
May 31 at 20:34
@Lambie - Most of the downvotes on this answer came before it was edited and improved. (The original version is here.)
– J.R.♦
May 31 at 20:34
add a comment |
I tend to think of guffaw, although Merriam-Webster says this is "loud laughter," how about a stifled guffaw?
answered May 31 at 19:20
L OL O
111
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I tend to think of guffaw, although Merriam-Webster says this is "loud laughter," how about a stifled guffaw?
answered May 31 at 19:20
L OL O
111
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I tend to think of guffaw, although Merriam-Webster says this is "loud laughter," how about a stifled guffaw?
answered May 31 at 19:20
L OL O
111
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I tend to think of guffaw, although Merriam-Webster says this is "loud laughter," how about a stifled guffaw?
answered May 31 at 19:20
L OL O
111
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answered May 31 at 19:20
L OL O
111
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answered May 31 at 19:20
L OL O
111
answered May 31 at 19:20
L OL O
111
111
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add a comment |
add a comment |
I think at this point pfft is an onomatopoeia.
It's a part of my vocabulary at least, but it's more like a stand in for the word pashaw. Which is an exclamation about the hilarity of an incredulous situation. It's a way to 'call bullshit' without swearing, or to preserve the lightheartedness of a conversation.
He let out a pfft but I wasn't sure if he was actually annoyed, or just trying to not hurt my feelings by laughing it off.
answered Jun 1 at 0:14
MazuraMazura
25417
add a comment |
I think at this point pfft is an onomatopoeia.
It's a part of my vocabulary at least, but it's more like a stand in for the word pashaw. Which is an exclamation about the hilarity of an incredulous situation. It's a way to 'call bullshit' without swearing, or to preserve the lightheartedness of a conversation.
He let out a pfft but I wasn't sure if he was actually annoyed, or just trying to not hurt my feelings by laughing it off.
answered Jun 1 at 0:14
MazuraMazura
25417
add a comment |
I think at this point pfft is an onomatopoeia.
It's a part of my vocabulary at least, but it's more like a stand in for the word pashaw. Which is an exclamation about the hilarity of an incredulous situation. It's a way to 'call bullshit' without swearing, or to preserve the lightheartedness of a conversation.
He let out a pfft but I wasn't sure if he was actually annoyed, or just trying to not hurt my feelings by laughing it off.
answered Jun 1 at 0:14
MazuraMazura
25417
I think at this point pfft is an onomatopoeia.
It's a part of my vocabulary at least, but it's more like a stand in for the word pashaw. Which is an exclamation about the hilarity of an incredulous situation. It's a way to 'call bullshit' without swearing, or to preserve the lightheartedness of a conversation.
He let out a pfft but I wasn't sure if he was actually annoyed, or just trying to not hurt my feelings by laughing it off.
answered Jun 1 at 0:14
MazuraMazura
25417
answered Jun 1 at 0:14
MazuraMazura
25417
answered Jun 1 at 0:14
MazuraMazura
25417
answered Jun 1 at 0:14
MazuraMazura
25417
25417
add a comment |
add a comment |
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