snicker

/ˈsnɪk.ə(ɹ)/

SNꞮK · ə(ɹ) (2 syllables)

English Noun Top 43,329

Definition

A stifled or broken laugh.

Etymology

US variant of the British snigger, possibly of onomatopoeic origin, similar to Dutch snikken (“to gasp; sob”). The noun is first recorded 1836, from the verb. Compare also Scottish smicker (“to smile or laugh in a sniggering or leery way, smirk”). More at smicker.