laughing

American  

[laf-ing, lah-fing] / ˈlæf ɪŋ, ˈlɑ fɪŋ /

adjective

1. that laughs or is given to laughter.

   a laughing child.

2. uttering sounds like human laughter, as some birds.

3. suggesting laughter by brightness, color, sound, etc..

   a laughing stream; laughing flowers.

4. laughable.

   The increase in crime is no laughing matter.

---

noun

1. laughter.

Other Word Forms

• laughingly adverb
• unlaughing adjective

Etymology

Origin of laughing

Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; laugh, -ing ¹, -ing ²

Example Sentences

“Our tables are perfect for children and dogs, or anyone else crawling around on the floor,” Blackman says, laughing.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

“My wife and my kids can attest, I was laughing as if I saw them for the first time,” Oliver said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

Tonight, though, Nasa employees were laughing and clapping - this is the moment that they have spent years working towards.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

“It’s like in ‘Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade’ where he has to choose the goblet,” he says, laughing.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

The big monkey was still standing on the limb, jumping up and down, and laughing his head off.

From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls

Related Words

• humorous