laughing

American

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

adjective

that laughs or is given to laughter.

a laughing child.
uttering sounds like human laughter, as some birds.
suggesting laughter by brightness, color, sound, etc..

a laughing stream; laughing flowers.
laughable.

The increase in crime is no laughing matter.

noun

laughter.

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of laughing

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

At Ireland's annual National Ploughing Championships in County Offaly, Mary Garvey, a 47-year-old farmer from Roscommon, told AFP: "It has to be economically sustainable to farm environmentally."

From Barron's • Nov. 11, 2025

Another prestigious sporting event will return to the global stage after being mothballed two years by COVID: the 37th World Ploughing Championships in Ratheniska, Ireland, on Sept. 21-22.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 9, 2022

The European event will allow some to flex their competitive muscles ahead of the World Ploughing Contest, which takes place on 21 and 22 September in Ratheniska, County Laois.

From BBC • Sep. 2, 2022

Rumors regarding his deteriorating health spread after he did not attend the Royal Ploughing Ceremony for the very first time this year, and Queen Sirikit is also believed to be unwell.

From Time • Aug. 2, 2013

Ploughing is done with a plough and under a tree.

From Geography and Plays by Stein, Gertrude

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023