# giggles

/ˈɡɪɡəɫz/ (US) · /ɡˈɪɡəlz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/giggles
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. uncontrolled laughter

noun · CEFR B1 · Informal

a state where you cannot stop laughing, often at something silly or at the wrong time.

For teachers: a state of uncontrollable, nervous, or silly laughter, often occurring in inappropriate contexts.

- We both got the giggles during the quiet part of the movie.
- The students were suddenly seized by the giggles during the headmaster's solemn speech, much to the frustration of their teacher.

Usage: Usually used with 'the' as in 'get the giggles' or 'have the giggles'.

## Examples

- The children had a bad case of the giggles during the movie.
- Even though the situation was serious, the two friends couldn't stop the giggles once they started.
- A sudden wave of the giggles swept through the back row of the choir, threatening to derail the entire performance of the solemn hymn.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.