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

• babble
• blab
• chaffer [British]
• chat
• chatter
• chin [slang]
• converse
• gab
• gabble
• gas
• jabber
• jaw
• kibitz
• kibbitz
• natter
• palaver
• patter
• prate
• prattle
• rap
• rattle
• run on
• schmooze
• shmooze
• talk
• twitter
• visit

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

First images inside the show depict Maleficent cackling on the show's elaborate stage. —Joey Nolfi Published, EW.com, 21 May 2025

The giant spreads his arms to gesture at the labyrinth of pages, then throws his head back in cackling laughter. —Hazlitt, 13 May 2025

There may have been a temptation to overcompensate, to cackle and sneer in order to force the focus back onto herself. —Lizzie Logan, Vulture, 2 May 2025

The late Chuck Dickerson would be cackling hysterically. —Tim Graham, New York Times, 2 May 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