Laughter Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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laughter

[ˈlɑːftər ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

sound of amusement

Laughter is the sound of amusement or happiness that people make when they are laughing.

Synonyms

cackle, chuckle, giggle, snicker.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
laughter	General term for the act of laughing, suitable for any situation where people find something funny. The room was filled with laughter during the comedy show. Her laughter was contagious, making everyone around her smile.
chuckle	Indicates a quiet or restrained laugh, often in response to something mildly amusing or a private joke. He chuckled softly at the clever joke. She couldn't help but chuckle when reading the funny text message.
giggle	Describes a light, silly, and often repetitive laugh, usually associated with children or someone being playfully amused. The children giggled uncontrollably during the puppet show. She giggled nervously when he asked for her phone number.
cackle	Used to describe a loud, harsh, and often high-pitched laugh. It can have a negative connotation, suggesting the person laughing is being mean or witch-like. The witch in the fairytale cackled as she cast her spell. He cackled evilly after pulling the prank.
snicker	Implies a quiet, often sneaky or mocking laugh, usually at someone else's expense. It has a negative connotation. They snickered behind his back when he made the mistake. She tried to snicker quietly so that the teacher wouldn't hear.

Examples of usage

The children's laughter filled the room.
Her contagious laughter brightened everyone's day.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

expression of joy

Laughter is also used to describe the expression of joy or amusement on someone's face.

Synonyms

beam, chortle, grin, smile.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
laughter	This is used to describe the sound people make when they find something very funny or amusing. It’s common in casual or joyful settings. Her laughter filled the room after hearing the joke. The comedian's performance was met with abundant laughter.
smile	This is a general term for the facial expression where the corners of the mouth turn up. It can express happiness, friendliness, or politeness. She smiled at the compliment she received. A smile spread across his face as he greeted his old friend.
grin	This refers to a wide smile that shows teeth. It can indicate happiness, amusement, or even a bit of mischief. He had a big grin on his face after winning the game. She grinned when she saw her friend’s surprise.
beam	This typically refers to a broad and warm smile, often showing happiness and pride. It’s more intense and radiant than a simple smile. She beamed with pride as she accepted the award. The children beamed when they saw their new toys.
chortle	This word is used to describe a gleeful, breathy laugh, often mixed with a snort. It’s usually heard in friendly or slightly mischievous situations. He chortled at the unexpected turn of events in the story. She couldn't help but chortle when she saw the funny meme.

Examples of usage

His eyes crinkled in laughter as he told the joke.
She couldn't contain her laughter during the comedy show.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

comedy performance

In the context of entertainment, laughter refers to the response from an audience when they find something funny or amusing.

Synonyms

amusement, comedy, fun, humor.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
laughter	Used when talking about the physical act of laughing or the sound it produces, often in reaction to something funny or joyful. The children's laughter filled the room Her joke brought a lot of laughter to the party
humor	Refers to the quality of being amusing or funny, often in relation to someone's ability to make others laugh through thoughts, words, or actions. His sense of humor is one of his best qualities The book is filled with witty humor
amusement	Describes a feeling of enjoyment or pleasure derived from something entertaining or funny. It can also refer to activities meant to entertain. He watched the clown with great amusement The amusement park was full of exhilarating rides
comedy	Refers to a genre of entertainment, such as movies, television, or theater, that aims to make people laugh through its storyline and characters. We watched a hilarious comedy last night She enjoys stand-up comedy shows
fun	A general term used to describe activities that bring joy and enjoyment. It can be used broadly in various contexts involving entertainment and pleasure. We had so much fun at the fair Playing board games with friends is always fun

Examples of usage

The stand-up comedian's jokes elicited loud laughter from the crowd.
The sitcom was a huge success due to its ability to generate laughter.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'laughter'

The word 'laughter' has its origins in Old English 'hleahtor', which is derived from the Proto-Germanic 'hlahtraz'. Laughter has been recognized as a universal human expression of joy and amusement, with studies showing its positive effects on physical and mental health. It is a natural response to humor and plays a significant role in social bonding and communication.

See also: laugh, laughable, laughably, laughs.

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,216 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.

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