Chuckles

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. A quiet, gentle laugh often caused by amusement or mild humor
2. A low, restrained sound expressing slight amusement or enjoyment
3. A soft burst of laughter usually indicating subtle happiness or a private joke

Etymology: "Chuckles" is the third-person singular present of "chuckle", so it is the form used when one person laughs quietly in amusement. The verb is formed from "chuck", an older word for a laugh, plus the suffix "-le", which gives a repeated or small-scale action. Its "-le" ending is the same one found in verbs like "twinkle" and "sparkle", where it marks something done in small, repeated bursts. The root "chuck" is itself uncertain. It may be connected to "chock", meaning a log, though that link is not firmly established, so the origin of the laugh sense remains unclear.

Synonyms: guffaws, snickers, giggles