Definition

Adjective: - Resembling or characteristic of a cackle: Describes a sound that is similar to the harsh, broken, or shrill cry or laugh, particularly like that made by a hen, often after laying an egg.

Usage

The adjective "cackly" is used to describe a specific quality of a sound. It is most commonly applied to voices, laughs, or noises that are harsh, high-pitched, and broken, evoking the sound of a hen.

Examples

• Describing a laugh:

  • Her laugh wasn't gentle; it was a loud, cackly sound that filled the room.
  • The witch in the story let out a cackly chuckle.

• Describing a voice:

  • He spoke in a dry, cackly voice, as if he had a sore throat.
  • The old recording featured a singer with a strangely cackly tone.

Advanced Usage

• Onomatopoeic Quality: "Cackly" is an onomatopoeic adjective, meaning the word itself imitates the sound it describes (like "buzz" or "hiss"). This makes it particularly vivid in descriptive writing.
  • The cackly noise from the chicken coop told us another egg had been laid.

Variants and Related Words

• Cackle (verb/noun): To make or the act of making a harsh, broken cry or laugh.

  • The hens cackle loudly in the morning. (verb)
  • We heard a cackle from the barn. (noun)

• Cackler (noun): One who or that which cackles.

  • The goose was the loudest cackler in the flock.

Synonyms

• Squawky: Making a loud, harsh cry.
• Shrill: High-pitched and piercing in an unpleasant way.
• Harsh: Unpleasantly rough or grating to the ear.
• Croaky: Deep and hoarse (often used for voices, but can share the rough quality).

Antonyms

• Melodious: Pleasant-sounding; tuneful.
• Smooth: Having an even, uninterrupted sound.
• Sonorous: Imposingly deep and full in sound.

Adjective

1. like the cackles or squawks a hen makes especially after laying an egg