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.

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noun

1. laughter.

Other Word Forms

• laughingly adverb
• unlaughing adjective

Etymology

Origin of laughing

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

Example Sentences

In a 2011 interview, Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk burst out laughing when asked about an EV that BYD hoped to bring to the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 29, 2026

People began laughing at the same comedians and enjoying the same songs simultaneously.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 26, 2026

"No, I am the drummer," he says, laughing.

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026

And then they start laughing, and they explained to me what’s ham and what’s hamburger.”

From Slate • Apr. 19, 2026

I could see all the monkeys looking down at us and laughing.

From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls

Related Words

• humorous