titter
/'titə/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun:
- A nervous, restrained, or partly suppressed laugh, often high-pitched and brief. It typically expresses amusement, embarrassment, or nervousness.
Verb (intransitive):
- To laugh in a nervous, restrained, or partly suppressed manner, often making a series of short, quiet sounds.
Examples of Usage
Noun:
- A faint titter ran through the audience after the awkward joke.
- She tried to suppress a titter during the serious ceremony.
Verb:
- The audience began to titter at the comedian's clumsy entrance.
- They tittered nervously when the teacher announced a surprise test.
Advanced Usage
"to titter at": To laugh in this manner because of someone or something.
- It's rude to titter at someone's mistake.
Describing the sound or manner:
- The tittering grew louder as the story became more absurd.
- He spoke amidst the titters of the crowd.
Variants and Related Words
Tittering (noun/adj): The act or sound of tittering; characterized by such laughter.
- The tittering in the room was unmistakable.
Titterer (noun): One who titters.
- The main titterer in the group was shushed by her friend.
Synonyms
- Giggle: To laugh lightly in a nervous or silly way. (A giggle is often more childlike or gleeful than a titter.)
- Snicker: To give a half-suppressed, often scornful or secretive laugh. (A snicker can imply more malice than a titter.)
- Chuckle: To laugh quietly or inwardly. (A chuckle is usually warmer and less nervous than a titter.)
Antonyms
- Guffaw: To laugh loudly and heartily.
- Roar: To laugh very loudly and unrestrainedly.
- Sob: To cry noisily.
Related Phrases/Idioms
(Note: "Titter" itself is not commonly used in fixed idioms. Its usage is typically literal.) - On the verge of a titter: About to start tittering. - The class was on the verge of a titter when the principal's hat fell off.
Noun
- a nervous restrained laugh
Verb
- laugh nervously
- The girls giggled when the rock star came into the classroom