Giggle vs. Snicker — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 24, 2024
Giggling is a soft, high-pitched laugh often associated with amusement or nervousness, while snickering is a quieter, more suppressed laugh indicating amusement, scorn, or secrecy.
Difference Between Giggle and Snicker
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Giggling often manifests as a spontaneous and uncontrollable reaction, typically characterized by its light, airy sound. This type of laughter is common among children and is frequently associated with playfulness or minor embarrassment. On the other hand, snickering is generally more controlled and less audible, hinting at private amusement or sometimes derision. It's a type of laughter you might hear during a whispered conversation or in response to an inside joke.
While giggling is usually more open and can involve several bouts of laughter, it conveys innocence and genuine amusement. Conversely, snickering is often more restrained and can carry a mocking or secretive tone, suggesting the laughter is shared among a select few or is aimed at excluding or deriding others.
Giggling can occur in a variety of social settings, from casual gatherings to formal events, reflecting a universal and socially acceptable reaction to joy or awkward situations. Whereas snickering might be considered inappropriate or rude in certain contexts, such as during a serious announcement or in a quiet, formal setting.
In terms of the physical expression of laughter, giggling often involves slight body movements, like shaking shoulders, and is usually accompanied by smiling. Snickering, however, tends to be more about the expression through the mouth and nose, with minimal overall body movement and sometimes accompanied by a smirk rather than a full smile.
The triggers for giggling are typically innocent, stemming from silly jokes, tickling, or playful interactions. Snickering, however, may be provoked by sarcasm, irony, or the misfortune of others, highlighting a more complex emotional base for the laughter.
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Comparison Chart
Sound
Light, airy, high-pitched
Quieter, suppressed, nasal
Connotation
Amusement, innocence
Amusement, mockery, secrecy
Social Context
Broadly acceptable
Sometimes inappropriate
Physical Expression
Shaking shoulders, smiling
Minimal movement, smirking
Typical Triggers
Silly jokes, tickling
Sarcasm, irony, others' misfortunes
Compare with Definitions
Giggle
A light, rapid burst of high-pitched laughter.
She couldn't help but giggle when she saw the puppy clumsily chase its tail.
Snicker
To laugh in a half-suppressed, indecorous or disrespectful manner.
The audience snickered at the absurdity of the situation.
Giggle
To emit a cluster of light, high laughs.
They giggled at the confusion caused by the mix-up.
Snicker
To emit a snide, stifled laugh.
She snickered as she revealed the surprise twist in the story.
Giggle
To laugh lightly and repeatedly in a silly way from amusement or nervousness.
The children giggled nervously as the teacher told the ghost story.
Snicker
A quiet, sly laugh usually expressing amusement or derision.
There was a snicker from the corner of the room when he tripped over the wire.
Giggle
A soft, silly laugh typically indicating mirth or nervousness.
His joke earned a few giggles from the back of the classroom.
Snicker
A half-suppressed, typically scornful laugh.
He gave a quick snicker when he saw someone slip on the ice.
Giggle
A quiet, uncontrollable laughter that is repetitive.
During the play, she began to giggle uncontrollably at the comical error.
Snicker
A secretive laugh shared among a few, often indicating inside knowledge or mockery.
The students snickered among themselves, knowing the inside joke.
Giggle
To laugh with repeated short, spasmodic sounds.
Snicker
To utter a partly stifled laugh
"I have seen the eternal Footman hold my coat, and snicker" (T.S. Eliot).
Giggle
To utter while giggling.
Snicker
A partly stifled laugh.
Giggle
A short, spasmodic laugh.
Snicker
A stifled or broken laugh.
Giggle
To laugh gently in a playful, nervous, or affected manner.
The jokes had them giggling like little girls all evening.
Snicker
A player who snicks the ball.
Giggle
A high-pitched, silly laugh.
Snicker
(intransitive) To emit a snicker, a stifled or broken laugh.
Giggle
(informal) Fun; an amusing episode.
We put itching powder down his shirt for giggles.
The women thought it would be quite a giggle to have a strippergram at the bride's hen party.
Snicker
(transitive) To utter through a laugh of this kind.
Giggle
To laugh with short catches of the breath or voice; to laugh in a light, affected, or silly manner; to titter with childish levity.
Giggling and laughing with all their mightAt the piteous hap of the fairy wight.
Snicker
(of a horse) To whinny.
Giggle
A kind of laugh, with short catches of the voice or breath; a light, silly laugh.
Snicker
To laugh slyly; to laugh in one's sleeve.
Giggle
A foolish or nervous laugh
Snicker
To laugh with audible catches of voice, as when persons attempt to suppress loud laughter.
Giggle
Laugh nervously;
The girls giggled when the rock star came into the classroom
Snicker
A half suppressed, broken laugh.
Snicker
A disrespectful laugh
Snicker
Laugh quietly
Common Curiosities
Is giggling age-specific?
While more common among children, giggling is not necessarily age-specific and can occur at any age.
What is the main emotional tone of giggling?
Giggling usually indicates joy, innocence, or nervousness.
Is snickering loud or quiet?
Snickering is typically quieter and more suppressed compared to other forms of laughter.
Can giggling be controlled?
Giggling is often spontaneous and hard to control, especially when tickled or highly amused.
What might cause someone to giggle instead of snicker?
Situations involving straightforward humor or innocent fun are more likely to elicit giggling.
Why might someone choose to snicker rather than laugh openly?
Privacy, scorn, or the nature of the humor might lead someone to choose snickering.
When is snickering considered inappropriate?
Snickering can be seen as inappropriate in formal or serious settings due to its often mocking tone.
What can suppress giggling?
Social norms or the desire not to appear rude can sometimes suppress giggling.
What emotions are commonly associated with snickering?
Snickering often involves emotions like mockery, secrecy, or schadenfreude.
How do people typically react to public giggling?
Public giggling is usually seen as light-hearted and can spread joy among others.
Can the sound of laughter influence its perception?
Yes, the sound of laughter, whether light and airy or subdued and nasal, can affect how it's perceived socially.
What does snickering imply in social interactions?
Snickering can imply a shared understanding or an exclusionary joke among a group.
Does the environment affect whether someone giggles or snickers?
Yes, the social and cultural context can influence the type of laughter someone chooses.
What is the difference in physical expression between giggling and snickering?
Giggling often involves more expressive body language, whereas snickering is more contained.
Is it common to mix up giggling and snickering?
While both involve laughter, their social contexts and emotional undertones differ significantly.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
