snicker

Half-suppressed little laugh

A snicker is a half-suppressed laugh, often expressing mockery or amusement at something inappropriate: She couldn't hold back a snicker when he tripped.

The verb means to laugh this way: The students snickered at the typo on the board.

A snicker suggests less openness than a giggle and more meanness than a chuckle.

laugh

giggle

Soft, silly vocalization

chuckleLow, suppressed laugh
titterRestrained nervous giggle
chortleGleeful, breathy laugh

guffaw · smirk · stifle · suppress · muffle · derisive · mocking · scornful · contemptuous · ridicule

horse

nicker

Soft horse vocalization

whinnySoft equine call
neighHorse's vocal call
snortNoisy nasal exhale

muzzle · nostril · mare · stallion · foal · gelding · paddock · stable · pasture · equine

Categories

laughterlaugh, giggling, chuckling, laughing, snickering
suppressed laughtitter
laughter soundslaughter, giggle, chuckle, chortle, guffaw
humorjoke, jokes, joking, comedy, comic
casual verbschat, chill, gab, giggle, grin
sound effectssound effects, sound effect, ringtone, boing, crash

Opposites

emotional expression valence

snickersob

Convulsive weeping

cry · weep · wail · whimper · moan

laughter intensity/openness

snickerguffaw

Boisterous burst of mirth

belly laugh · cackle · laugh out loud · hearty laugh · chortle

social approval/support

snickerapplaud

Clap to show praise

cheer · praise · acclaim · commend · encourage

Family

snigger

Familiarity: Top 50,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G