Laughed Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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laughed
[lรฆft ]
Definition
past action
Laughed is the past tense of laugh, which refers to the action of expressing joy, amusement, or happiness through vocal sounds, often accompanied by facial expressions. It can also indicate a reaction to humor or a socially bonding activity.
Synonyms
chortled, chuckled, giggled, snickered.
Examples of usage
- She laughed loudly at the joke.
- They laughed together during the movie.
- He laughed at his own mistake.
- The audience laughed at the comedian's performance.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Psychology
- Laughter is known to reduce stress by lowering cortisol levels in our bodies.
- It's also linked to social bonding; groups that laugh together often form closer relationships.
- Studies have shown that the sound of laughter can trigger brain responses that induce happiness and relaxation.
Cultural Significance
- In many cultures, humor is a vital part of communication and helps to ease conflict.
- Some societies even have specific laughter rituals, like laughter yoga, which focuses on laughter for health and joy.
- Humor is often used in storytelling across cultures to convey messages and morals, creating a more engaging narrative.
Pop Culture
- Comedy films often use laughter as a key emotional response, impacting how audiences perceive the story.
- Famous comedians are often known for their unique laughter styles, which contribute to their identity.
- Children's cartoons frequently use exaggerated laughter to illustrate charactersโ happiness or mischief.
Science
- Laughter has been shown to engage multiple areas of the brain, highlighting its complexity beyond just an emotional response.
- It's considered contagious; hearing others laugh can often trigger an involuntary laugh in listeners.
- Research suggests that physical laughter can act as a mini workout, potentially burning calories.
Origin of 'laughed'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the Old English word 'hlaehtan', meaning to laugh or to make a sound of joy.
- In different languages, laughter sounds similar; for example, 'ha ha' is common across many cultures.
- Historically, the act of laughing has been noted since ancient times as a social behavior that connects people.
The word 'laugh' has its roots in Old English 'hlรฆhhan', which means to make sounds of joy. The term has a long history, tracing back to the Proto-Germanic *hlahwลnฤ , which is related to similar terms in other Germanic languages, such as the Dutch 'lachen' and the German 'lachen'. Over time, 'laugh' evolved in English to encompass broader meanings, not just as a sign of amusement but also as a social response and a way to connect with others. The inclusion of laughter in various cultures suggests its integral role in human interaction, promoting social cohesion and communication throughout history. Laughter has been studied extensively in psychology and sociology, reinforcing the idea that it is a fundamental aspect of human behavior.