giggling

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "giggling" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a sound made by someone who is laughing in a slightly uncontrolled and high-pitched way. For example, "The children were giggling as they ran around the garden."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

During the lunch, chatting away, picking at the salmon he has ordered from the still giggling waitress, his voice takes on the tones of some of those he has admired or met or worked with.

The Guardian - Film

Despite having died in 2001, the gravel-voiced legend was giggling at her husband's bedside after he smashed his van through "the inaugural Erinsborough festival".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

‘It’s been so long since anybody’s... they don’t do that any more!’ I can still hear him giggling to himself about this as I step into the street, leaving him to move on to interview 25. • ‘Plunkett & MacLeane’ opens on 2 April.

The Guardian - Film

One minute she is theorising earnestly about the difference between Germany and Britain's postwar traumas, the next she is giggling as if she's just caught herself auditioning for Pseuds Corner: "I wonder what status being the victor gives to the trauma.

The Guardian

I started clapping and giggling like a child.

The Guardian - Travel

We were giggling about that.

The Guardian - Tech

Two 13-year-old girls sit giggling on a bed.

The Economist

He is giggling at an Instagram picture of a kitten dressed in an explosive suicide belt.

The Economist

The night that she meets Max Jake Lacyy), the aforementioned one-night stand, she drunkenly urinates outside, giggling like a maniac as he stands a stone's throw away.

The Economist

You just know that were you to hear him reading it out loud he would be giggling at his own marvellously extravagant jokes.One sequence of poems entitled "On Aesthetics" consists of a list of tiny humorous "definitions" of aesthetics in relation to various subjects and people—"Aesthetics of the Nude", "Aesthetics of Late", "Aesthetics of Moss", "Aesthetics of Ronsard", and so on.

The Economist

You know, sitting on rocking chairs giggling at the comics.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "giggling" to convey lighthearted amusement or nervous laughter, especially in informal or descriptive writing.

Common error

Avoid using "giggling" in formal or serious contexts, as it can sound inappropriate or unprofessional. Opt for more subdued expressions of amusement, such as "smiling" or "chortling", in these situations.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "giggling" is a verb, often used as a present participle or gerund. Ludwig AI confirms its usage to describe a specific type of laughter, as seen in the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "giggling" is a versatile verb form indicating a light, often nervous, type of laughter. Ludwig AI's analysis reveals its common usage in informal contexts, especially in News & Media, as it effectively conveys a specific emotional nuance. While grammatically correct and widely understood, its appropriateness varies depending on the formality of the writing. Consider alternatives like "chuckling" or "tittering" for different shades of amusement. Ludwig's examples highlight its descriptive power and contextual adaptability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

chuckling

Implies a quiet, internal amusement, often lower in pitch than "giggling".

tittering

Suggests a nervous or suppressed laughter, often considered more affected than "giggling".

snickering

Conveys a sly or disrespectful laughter, often done behind someone's back, carrying a negative connotation compared to "giggling".

chortling

Indicates a gleeful, chuckling sound, expressing hearty enjoyment, unlike the lighter, more delicate nature of "giggling".

guffawing

Denotes a loud, unrestrained burst of laughter, far more boisterous than "giggling".

laughing quietly

Describes a restrained form of laughter, emphasizing the gentle sound rather than the overt expression of amusement found in "giggling".

smirking

Suggests a smug or conceited smile, which might be accompanied by quiet laughter but focuses more on facial expression than audible amusement, unlike "giggling".

simpering

Implies a silly, often self-conscious smile or giggle, indicating a more affected or coy manner than the straightforward expression of amusement in "giggling".

smickering

Refers to suppressed laughter or a sly smile, indicating a more secretive or mischievous expression of amusement compared to the open and lighthearted "giggling".

expressing amusement

A general term indicating the act of showing enjoyment, which encompasses a wider range of reactions beyond the specific sound of "giggling".

FAQs

How to use "giggling" in a sentence?

You can use "giggling" to describe the sound of light, often nervous, laughter, as in "The children were "giggling" during the puppet show".

What can I say instead of "giggling"?

Alternatives for "giggling" include "chuckling", "tittering", or "laughing quietly", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "giggling" or "laughing"?

"Giggling" and "laughing" are both correct, but they describe different types of laughter. "Giggling" implies a lighter, often more suppressed form of laughter, while "laughing" is a more general term.

What's the difference between "giggling" and "snickering"?

"Giggling" typically suggests lighthearted amusement, whereas "snickering" often implies a sly or mocking laughter.