Chortling

Chortling describes a gleeful, somewhat suppressed laugh, often expressing satisfaction, amusement, or secret pleasure. It implies a quiet, internal expression of delight, as if the laughter bubbles up from within rather than erupting openly. The sound itself is often described as a soft, rumbling sound, a cross between a chuckle and a snort. It suggests a less boisterous and potentially more private form of amusement than outright laughter, frequently associated with someone who finds something mildly amusing. chortling can also be a sign of smugness or superiority, especially if directed toward the misfortune of others, and can sometimes hint at underlying sarcasm. The emphasis lies on a contained joy, a quiet appreciation of something funny or pleasing.

Chortling meaning with examples

• Upon seeing her rival trip on the red carpet, the queen of the event gave a subtle chortling, her lips barely curving upwards as she feigned concern. Her loyal staff noted her unusual behavior and gave her a wary look. Her barely-there reaction was clearly visible to all, showing her true emotion. Despite the drama, she continued, seemingly undisturbed by the stumble of her rival.
• The young boy chortling after successfully pulling a prank on his older sister knew he’d pushed his luck, but couldn't suppress his quiet amusement as she frantically searched for her favorite shoes. His mother, witnessing the scene, gave a disapproving look, knowing she wouldn’t be happy with his action. He struggled to suppress his chortling as he observed his sister's bewilderment and mild frustration.
• As the detective pieced together the clues, he began chortling softly, finally understanding the convoluted plot of the case. The subtle sound revealed to his colleagues that he finally solved the case. The quiet expression demonstrated the thrill he received, but the mystery did end in triumph. He began to smile, reflecting the satisfaction of connecting the disparate pieces and revealing the culprit. The chortling turned into a broad grin.
• After finally receiving his long-awaited promotion, the senior manager could not help but chortle with quiet satisfaction. He’d endured years of hard work, sacrificing time with his family, and his colleagues gave him a cold reaction to the news. The quiet sound reflected the years of effort he had poured into his career. The achievement was all the more enjoyable as his hard work had finally paid off, and all that was left to do was enjoy the position.