guffaw

[ guh-faw, guh- ]

/ gʌˈfɔ, gə- /

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See synonyms for: guffaw / guffawed / guffawing on Thesaurus.com

noun

a loud, unrestrained burst of laughter.

verb (used without object)

to laugh loudly and boisterously.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of guffaw

First recorded in 1710–20; perhaps imitative

Words nearby guffaw

Gueux, Guevara, Guevara, Ernesto “Che”, Guevarist, guff, guffaw, GUGB, Guggenheim, Guggenheim Museum, guggle, guglet

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use guffaw in a sentence

A bitter and reflexive gotcha guffaw to match the mean times, in which headlines redound with “Slams,” “Rips,” and “Blasted” as things people routinely do to each other.
Of Bullets and Ballots|Sean Culligan|October 9, 2021|Ozy
She has said that she fell in love with the guffaw and started to pursue its owner, a fellow Princeton grad.
MacKenzie Scott Gave Away $6 Billion Last Year. It's Not As Easy As It Sounds|Belinda Luscombe|May 25, 2021|Time
The perfect amount of raunchy shock value to color a guffaw with a gasp.
‘Veep’ Is a F*@king Masterclass in Cursing|Kevin Fallon|April 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Even those who support union with Russia guffaw when asked whether the referendum will be above board.
Crimeans Are Resigned To Pro-Russia Vote|Jamie Dettmer|March 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Hitting the sidewalk, I let out an unexpected guffaw as the subdead abomination trod over my body without even taking notice!
The Extinction Parade: An Original Zombie Story by Max Brooks|Max Brooks|January 14, 2011|DAILY BEAST
When the Booker Prize was launched as the “British Goncourt” in 1969, it was met by a universal guffaw.
Mantel Books the Booker|John Sutherland|October 6, 2009|DAILY BEAST
She had an incredible laugh—something between a giggle and a guffaw.
Saying Goodbye to Doc|Maryanne Vollers|June 26, 2009|DAILY BEAST
At this the crowd roared with laughter, and now was the first shade of good-nature mixed with the guffaw.
It Is Never Too Late to Mend|Charles Reade
Then luckily somebody laughed; and a general guffaw saved the situation.
The Cradle of Mankind|W.A. Wigram
Politely veiled laughter greeted this sally, except from Dr. Wilson, who burst into an open guffaw.
Love in a Cloud|Arlo Bates
Smith opened his head, and emitted as large a guffaw as he ever allowed himself to indulge in.
The Luck of Gerard Ridgeley|Bertram Mitford
He gazed at Betty, then at the two dogs, uttered a light guffaw, and vanished round the corner.
Betty Vivian|L. T. Meade

British Dictionary definitions for guffaw

guffaw

/ (ɡʌˈfɔː) /

noun

a crude and boisterous laugh

verb

to laugh crudely and boisterously or express (something) in this way

Word Origin for guffaw

C18: of imitative origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

guffaw

Origin of guffaw

Words nearby guffaw

Words related to guffaw

How to use guffaw in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for guffaw

Word Origin for guffaw