Quick answer
Cackle means to laugh loudly and sharply; also the clucking cry of a hen. It is usually pronounced KAK-ul, and today it is still readable to modern audiences, even if it sounds more deliberate than everyday speech.
Word page
Cackle
To cackle means to laugh loudly and sharply; also the clucking cry of a hen. It belongs to speech, noise, and verbal nonsense and works best in complaints about jargon, gossip, fuss, and the many noises people make with language. It is still understandable today, but it usually sounds more vivid and deliberate than ordinary modern vocabulary.
At a glance
speechnoiseverbal-nonsense
How to say it
Meaning in plain English
If you cackle, you to laugh loudly and sharply; also the clucking cry of a hen. The verb usually suggests something more expressive, comic, or textured than a plain everyday substitute.
Why this word feels absurd
Cackle feels absurd because it has more texture than the plain alternative, giving the idea an extra bit of theatrical, comic, or overbuilt energy.
Origin and history
Cackle is generally traced to imitative word echoing harsh laughter and poultry noises. In modern use, the history matters less than the strong tone the word still carries.
Is this word still used today?
Cackle is uncommon today, but it still makes sense to modern readers because the tone and meaning come across quickly once you see it in context.
Example sentences
- The interns began to cackle at once when the projector failed again.
- He cackleed through the explanation so fast that nobody trusted the final answer.
- In the play, nervous witnesses cackle whenever the magistrate clears his throat.
- She refused to cackle about the crisis and gave the room a usable plan instead.
- The children cackleed excitedly after finding the attic full of costumes.
When should you use this word?
Use cackle when a plain action verb feels too flat and you want the sentence to carry more motion, tone, or comic texture. It works especially well in complaints about jargon, gossip, fuss, and the many noises people make with language.
Similar words
guffaw, shriek with laughter, cluck
Opposite or contrasting words
giggle softly, murmur, stay quiet
Common questions
- What does cackle mean? to laugh loudly and sharply; also the clucking cry of a hen.
- How do you pronounce cackle? It is commonly pronounced KAK-ul.
- Is cackle still used today? Cackle is uncommon today, but it still makes sense to modern readers because the tone and meaning come across quickly once you see it in context.
- When should you use cackle? Use cackle when a plain action verb feels too flat and you want the sentence to carry more motion, tone, or comic texture. It works especially well in complaints about jargon, gossip, fuss, and the many noises people make with language.
- What words are similar to cackle? Similar words include guffaw, shriek with laughter, and cluck.
Editorial note
Edited by Absurd Words. Last updated: May 9, 2026. See the editorial policy for how definitions, examples, labels, and update checks are handled on the site.