cackle

verb

cack·​le ˈka-kəl 

cackled; cackling ˈka-k(ə-)liŋ 

intransitive verb

1

: to make the sharp broken noise or cry characteristic of a hen especially after laying

2

: to laugh especially in a harsh or sharp manner

Shakespeare's crones cackled of evil deeds

—Scott McMurray

3

: chatter

cackle noun

cackler

ˈka-k(ə-)lər 

noun

Synonyms

• babble
• blab
• chaffer [British]
• chat
• chatter
• chin [slang]
• converse
• gab
• gabble
• gas
• jabber
• jaw
• kibitz
• kibbitz
• natter
• palaver
• patter
• prate
• prattle
• rap
• rattle
• run on
• schmooze
• shmooze
• talk
• twitter
• visit

Examples of cackle in a Sentence

The hens were cackling in the henhouse.

I could hear my aunts cackling in the next room.

Recent Examples on the Web

Jason shouted, fired up, as the younger Kelce cackled. —Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 29 Jan. 2025

In the series’ ugliest moment to date (which is saying something, given the first episode’s massacre scene and the second episode’s throat-slitting), the camp leader strikes and rapes Sara while the old woman cackles in delight. —Keith Phipps, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2025

Dramatic hills are thickly coated with giant eucalyptus and native she-oak; wild lavender shelters native wildlife like musical magpies and cackling kookaburras. —Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Dec. 2024

Sunny settles in front of the TV, cackling away at what appears to be a game show. —Chris Klimek, Vulture, 14 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English cakelen, of imitative origin

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for cackle

• crackle
• hackle
• jackal
• shackle
• tackle
• vakil
• ramshackle
• tabernacle
• zodiacal

Kids Definition

cackle

verb

cack·​le ˈkak-əl 

cackled; cackling -(ə-)liŋ 

1

: to make the sharp broken noise or cry that a hen makes especially after laying an egg

2

: to laugh or chatter noisily

cackle noun

cackler

-(ə-)lər 

noun