chuckles

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chuckles" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a soft, quiet laugh, often indicating amusement or mild humor. Example: "She listened to the joke and let out a few chuckles, clearly enjoying the humor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He chuckles.

The New York Times

Then she chuckles: "I'm going to personally put a DVD under the door of every man in Hollywood, and try to get some votes for that baby".

The Guardian

"At least it's not 5 Seconds Of Summer," he chuckles.

The Guardian - Music

He chuckles cheekily as he explains how he increased his competitive edge: "If they looked healthy, I'd extend the distance; the races got longer and longer until I ran my first official race - a 20km run for Cancer Research UK in 1999".

The Guardian

He chuckles as he reads how Tiens medicines are supposed to treat about a dozen different conditions each, from preventing cancer to reversing impotence to promoting "the growth of children's reproductive organs".

The Guardian

He chuckles ruefully and looks up from the table, his eyes calm.

The Guardian - Film

He chuckles: "This is a perfect example of how to inflict debt on to the public sector.

The Guardian - Books

He described how his post as a Eurosceptic group leader in the European Parliament had earned him a meeting with Germany's chancellor, Angela Merkel (cue chuckles).

The Economist

"Margaret and I used to have the most awful rows, both of us standing up and shouting," he chuckles.

The Economist

The typical chief executive, he said, to chuckles, is "the guy you knew in college, the fraternity president—not too bright, back-slapping, but a survivor, politically astute, a nice guy".

The Economist

"We won't shed a tear," chuckles Mtanes Shihadeh, an Arab pollster.Arabs form about 20% of Israel's 8m population.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "chuckles" to describe a quiet, internal expression of amusement. It is effective in portraying a character's subtle reaction to something humorous.

Common error

Avoid using "chuckles" excessively in formal or academic writing. It can sound informal and detract from the seriousness of the tone. Use more neutral terms like "smiles" or "is amused" instead.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "chuckles" is as a plural noun, referring to multiple instances of a soft, partly suppressed laugh. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. The examples in Ludwig show it often accompanies descriptions of people reacting to something humorous.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Encyclopedias

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "chuckles" is a grammatically sound and frequently used plural noun that describes soft, contained laughter, often indicating mild amusement. As noted by Ludwig AI, the term is widely applicable in written English, although it tends to lean towards a neutral or slightly informal register. Predominantly found in news and media, "chuckles" provides a way to depict subtle reactions and quiet enjoyment, making it a valuable addition to descriptive writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

soft laughter

Focuses on the quiet and gentle nature of the laugh, rather than the act itself.

quiet amusement

Emphasizes the feeling of being amused without necessarily expressing it audibly.

suppressed laughter

Indicates an attempt to hold back laughter, implying a stronger urge to laugh.

slight giggle

Suggests a more childlike and less restrained form of laughter.

muted chortle

Combines a chuckle with a snorting sound, but in a quiet manner.

gentle snicker

Implies a somewhat mocking or sly laugh, but delivered in a soft tone.

contained mirth

Highlights the feeling of joy and amusement being kept under control.

smothered chuckle

Indicates that the chuckle is being stifled or muffled.

subdued mirth

Highlights the feeling of joy and amusement with low intensity.

soft titter

Suggests a nervous or restrained laugh, often high-pitched.

FAQs

How can I use "chuckles" in a sentence?

"Chuckles" is generally used as a noun to describe soft, contained laughs. For example, "The comedian's jokes were met with "chuckles" from the audience".

What are some alternatives to using "chuckles"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "soft laughter", "quiet amusement", or "suppressed laughter".

Is it appropriate to use "chuckles" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "chuckles" can sound informal. In formal contexts, consider using more neutral terms like "smiles" or "is amused".

What does "chuckles" imply about the type of laughter?

"Chuckles" suggests a quiet, gentle, and often internal form of laughter, indicating mild amusement or enjoyment rather than boisterous laughter.