noun · verb · 10 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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/ˈhɛkəl/
[ˈhɛkəl] ~ [ˈhɛkl̩]
Southern-England:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
rhymes with -ɛkəl
CMU ARPABET:HH EH1 K AH0 L
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
noun
Meaning 1
Alternative form of hackle (“tool for separating flax”).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: alt-of, alternative
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
The long shining feathers on a cock's neck.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
A feather ornament in the full-dress bonnets of Highland regiments.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
noun
Meaning 4
An rude interruption during a show, especially a comedy performance
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
The stand-up dealt well with the heckles from the crowd, replying with raucous banter to raise plenty of laughs.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
verb
Meaning 5
To question harshly in an attempt to find or reveal weaknesses.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: grill, interrogate
Antonyms: none provided
6
verb
Meaning 6
To insult, tease, make fun of or badger, especially during a comedy performance.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Examples
Promise that you won't heckle me after my performance.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: barrack
Antonyms: none provided
7
verb
Meaning 7
To prepare (flax) for spinning, using special combs called hackles.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: business, manufacturing, textiles
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: hackle
Antonyms: none provided
8
noun
Meaning 8
a comb for separating flax fibers
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: hatchel
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: comb
9
verb
Meaning 9
challenge aggressively
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: interrupt, disrupt, break up, cut off
10
verb
Meaning 10
comb with a heckle
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
heckle hemp or flax
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: hackle, hatchel
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: comb
History
Etymology
Transferred usage of Middle English hekelen (“to comb flax or hemp with a heckle”), from hekele (“a comb for flax or hemp”), from Middle Dutch hekelen (“to prickle, irritate”), from Proto-West Germanic *hakilōn, from Proto-Germanic *hakilōną, related to *hakô (“hook”). Related to hackle.
Across languages
Translations
47 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Bulgarian:
апострофирам
(apostrofiram)
— question harshly in an attempt to reveal weaknesses
Czech:
hecovat
— question harshly in an attempt to reveal weaknesses
Czech:
provokovat
— question harshly in an attempt to reveal weaknesses
Dutch:
hekelen
— question harshly in an attempt to reveal weaknesses
Esperanto:
demandaĉi
— question harshly in an attempt to reveal weaknesses
Finnish:
keskeyttää
— question harshly in an attempt to reveal weaknesses
Finnish:
huudella
— question harshly in an attempt to reveal weaknesses
German:
dazwischenrufen
— question harshly in an attempt to reveal weaknesses
German:
ausquetschen
— question harshly in an attempt to reveal weaknesses
German:
examinieren
— question harshly in an attempt to reveal weaknesses
German:
verhören
— question harshly in an attempt to reveal weaknesses
Polish:
przedrzeźniać
— question harshly in an attempt to reveal weaknesses
Swedish:
häckla
— question harshly in an attempt to reveal weaknesses
Czech:
hecovat
— insult, tease, make fun of, badger
Czech:
štvát
— insult, tease, make fun of, badger
Czech:
provokovat
— insult, tease, make fun of, badger
Czech:
pokřikovat
— insult, tease, make fun of, badger
Czech:
přerušovat
— insult, tease, make fun of, badger
Danish:
håne
— insult, tease, make fun of, badger
Danish:
fornærme
— insult, tease, make fun of, badger
Dutch:
hekelen
— insult, tease, make fun of, badger
Finnish:
haukkua
— insult, tease, make fun of, badger
Finnish:
häiritä
— insult, tease, make fun of, badger
German:
beleidigen
— insult, tease, make fun of, badger
German:
beschimpfen
— insult, tease, make fun of, badger
German:
verspotten
— insult, tease, make fun of, badger
German:
spötteln
— insult, tease, make fun of, badger
German:
verhöhnen
— insult, tease, make fun of, badger
German:
belästigen
— insult, tease, make fun of, badger
German:
bedrängen
— insult, tease, make fun of, badger
German:
plagen
— insult, tease, make fun of, badger
German:
quälen
— insult, tease, make fun of, badger
German:
heimsuchen
— insult, tease, make fun of, badger
German:
necken
— insult, tease, make fun of, badger
German:
stören
— insult, tease, make fun of, badger
Irish:
cuir isteach ar
— insult, tease, make fun of, badger
Latin:
convīcior
— insult, tease, make fun of, badger
Spanish:
abuchear
— insult, tease, make fun of, badger
Spanish:
abroncar
— insult, tease, make fun of, badger
Spanish:
silbar
— insult, tease, make fun of, badger
Spanish:
chuflar
— insult, tease, make fun of, badger
Spanish:
rechiflar
— insult, tease, make fun of, badger
Swedish:
häckla
— insult, tease, make fun of, badger
Swedish:
pika
— insult, tease, make fun of, badger
Swedish:
håna
— insult, tease, make fun of, badger
Swedish:
skymfa
— insult, tease, make fun of, badger
Swedish:
förolämpa
— insult, tease, make fun of, badger
