horselaugh

[ hawrs-laf, -lahf ]

/ ˈhɔrsˌlæf, -ˌlɑf /

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noun

a loud, coarse laugh, especially of derision.

verb (used without object)

to utter a horselaugh.

QUIZ

ALL IN FAVO(U)R OF THIS BRITISH VS. AMERICAN ENGLISH QUIZ

There's an ocean of difference between the way people speak English in the US vs. the UK. Are your language skills up to the task of telling the difference? Let's find out!

Question 1 of 7

True or false? British English and American English are only different when it comes to slang words.

true

false

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Origin of horselaugh

First recorded in 1705–15; horse + laugh

OTHER WORDS FROM horselaugh

horselaughter, noun

How to use horselaugh in a sentence

I watch every episode alone on my couch and I just sit there and laugh, and laugh.
Coffee Talk with Fred Armisen: On ‘Portlandia,’ Meeting Obama, and Taylor Swift’s Greatness|Marlow Stern|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Hopefully, she got as much of a laugh out of it as the rest of the world has.
Slow Motion Tiger Jump, a Tornado at the Rose Bowl and More Viral Videos|The Daily Beast Video|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
I mean, the reality of it was, I had to go out and get on a horse, and ride in, shoot the gun — how hard was that, right?
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile|Robert Ward|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The poet apparently collapsed in the street upon his departure from “The Horse” and died not long after.
The Bars That Made America Great|Nina Strochlic|December 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The Horse You Came in On Saloon, Baltimore Horse-themed bars must be bad luck for famous authors.
The Bars That Made America Great|Nina Strochlic|December 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He burst into a loud laugh, clapped his hands, and danced before the delighted babe.
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol|William J. Locke
Miss Christabel blushed furiously and emitted a sound half between a laugh and a scream.
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol|William J. Locke
At the mention of the Merrill Horse, Poindexter's countenance took on a demoniac expression.
The Courier of the Ozarks|Byron A. Dunn
But you are mistaken in thinking the force west consists of the entire Merrill Horse.
The Courier of the Ozarks|Byron A. Dunn
It was at this parliament that the famous acts against horse racing and deceitful gaming were passed.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell

British Dictionary definitions for horselaugh

horse laugh

noun

a coarse, mocking, or raucous laugh; guffaw

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