heckling

UK: /ˈhɛklɪŋ/

From the verb heckle: (⇒ conjugate)

heckling is: ⓘ

v pres p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

heck•le /ˈhɛkəl/   v. [~ + object] , -led, -ling. 

1. to harass with impolite questions, insults, or the like:
   The audience began to heckle the speaker.

heck•ler /ˈhɛklɚ/  n. [countable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

heck•le  (hek′əl), v., -led, -ling, n. 
v.t. 

1. to harass (a public speaker, performer, etc.) with impertinent questions, gibes, or the like;
   badger.
2. Textiles hackle¹ (def. 8).

n. 

3. Textiles hackle¹ (def. 5).

• 1275–1325; Middle English hekelen, variant of hechelen to comb flax; akin to hackle¹, hatchel

heck′ler, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. bait, provoke, needle, hector, hound.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

heckle / ˈhɛk^əl/ verb

1. to interrupt (a public speaker, performer, etc) by comments, questions, or taunts
2. Also: hackle, hatchel (transitive) to comb (hemp or flax)

noun

1. an instrument for combing flax or hemp

Etymology: 15th Century: Northern and East Anglian form of hackle

ˈheckler noun