cackle

verb

cack·​le ˈka-kəl 

cackled; cackling ˈka-k(ə-)liŋ 

intransitive verb

1

: to make the sharp broken noise or cry characteristic of a hen especially after laying

2

: to laugh especially in a harsh or sharp manner

Shakespeare's crones cackled of evil deeds

—Scott McMurray

3

: chatter

cackle noun

cackler

ˈka-k(ə-)lər 

noun

Synonyms

• chat
• talk
• converse
• chatter
• rattle

Examples of cackle in a Sentence

The hens were cackling in the henhouse.

I could hear my aunts cackling in the next room.

Recent Examples on the Web

So the Harris image as a lightweight, promoted in part by her cackling responses in some interviews, can be misleading and other candidates for governor would be wise not to underestimate her. —Thomas Elias, Mercury News, 10 June 2025

And as the seconds of the season ticked away, the same playoff demons cackled from the top of Scotiabank Arena. —Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 19 May 2025

In conversation, Lee is grizzled and gregarious, quick to cackle, and prone to starry-eyed digressions about music’s overwhelming power and his partner’s formidable songwriting chops. —Elias Leight, Billboard, 1 May 2025

Though the character is traditionally played as a cackling crone, she'll be glammed-up for Wednesday. —Randall Colburn, EW.com, 23 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English cakelen, of imitative origin

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for cackle

• crackle
• hackle
• jackal
• shackle
• tackle
• vakil
• ramshackle
• tabernacle
• zodiacal

Kids Definition

cackle

verb

cack·​le ˈkak-əl 

cackled; cackling -(ə-)liŋ 

1

: to make the sharp broken noise or cry that a hen makes especially after laying an egg

2

: to laugh or chatter noisily

cackle noun

cackler

-(ə-)lər 

noun