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

The sky is dark and green as the wind blows, Rio cackling. —Katie Campione, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2024

The old insult comic remains onstage, serving up the same routine to a crowd that cackles and roars. —Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 23 Oct. 2024

Find registration information about costume and cackling contests and more at irvingtonhalloween.com/schedule-of-events. —Domenica Bongiovanni, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Oct. 2024

As Arthur collapses in a bloody heap and dies, the mystery man cackles — and, out of focus and almost out of frame, cuts his own mouth into a wider smile. —Jack Smart, People.com, 3 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English cakelen, of imitative origin

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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