Titter

A titter is a suppressed or quiet, often nervous or silly giggle. It's a short, light, and sometimes involuntary sound, indicating amusement, embarrassment, or even slight contempt. Often, a titter is a social signal, conveying a shared feeling between people without necessarily being a full-blown laugh. It can be an expression of discomfort or uncertainty, or used to politely show one's acknowledgement of a joke, story, or situation without causing a disturbance.

Titter meaning with examples

• As the bride stumbled on the aisle, a few attendees tittered softly, trying to hide their amusement. It was not malicious, only a momentary release of tension. The other guests quickly composed themselves.
• During the solemn awards ceremony, a sudden, unexpected crash from the back of the hall caused a ripple of titters throughout the audience. The winner did look back and smile.
• The nervous student tittered when the teacher called on them, unsure of their answer. The student hoped they could give the correct information.
• The comedian told a joke, and a small titter went through the crowd; some may not have understood it, others might have simply found it funny.