laughing

[ laf-ing, lah-fing ]

/ ˈlæf ɪŋ, ˈlɑ fɪŋ /

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See synonyms for: laughing / laughingly on Thesaurus.com

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.

QUIZ

SHALL WE PLAY A "SHALL" VS. "SHOULD" CHALLENGE?

Should you take this quiz on “shall” versus “should”? It should prove to be a quick challenge!

Question 1 of 6

Which form is used to state an obligation or duty someone has?

shall

should

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of laughing

Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; see origin at laugh, -ing¹, -ing²

OTHER WORDS FROM laughing

laugh·ing·ly, adverbun·laugh·ing, adjective

Words nearby laughing

Laugh, and the world laughs with you; weep, and you weep alone, laugh at, laugh away, laugh down, laugher, laughing, laughing gas, laughing gull, laughing hyena, laughing jackass, laughing matter

How to use laughing in a sentence

There are passages that are so wistfully uncomfortable that you might squirm, or start “snort-laughing,” or want to stop a moment and just think.
Seeking love and community in Nicaragua|Terri Schlichenmeyer|January 15, 2022|Washington Blade
Though their personality types were different, their shared sarcasm kept her laughing throughout the evening.
Date Lab: Can an ‘extreme extrovert’ and introvert hit it off?|Damona Hoffman|April 22, 2021|Washington Post
I would have all her gestures, her ways of laughing, of speaking with passion and conviction.
What I Wish I’d Done Before I Lost My Daughter and Mother|Maryanne O’Hara|April 8, 2021|Time
Just like crying or laughing can provide a rush of calm in moments of sadness or joy, a good ol’ yell can give us temporary relief from anger and frustration.
Stressed? Try screaming. Yes, really.|Sara Kiley Watson|January 8, 2021|Popular-Science

Another picture showed him surrounded by a dozen or so fighters—some masked and others laughing.
Did ISIS Shoot Down a Fighter Jet?|Jamie Dettmer, Christopher Dickey|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The “smile through tears” had replaced the previous mindset that laughing was for the poor.
The French Court’s Royal Ban on Smiles|William O’Connor|December 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But nothing happens and soon Mariame is home, eating dinner with her two little sisters, laughing and acting silly.
‘Girlhood’: Coming of Age in France’s Projects|Molly Hannon|November 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Lena, Emilia, and I are laughing because we sorted the wig thing out nice and early.
Natalie Dormer Talks ‘Hunger Games,’ Feminism, and Why ‘Game of Thrones’ Needs More Dick|Marlow Stern|November 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
For French law enforcement, the evil clowns are, it has to be said, no laughing matter.
French Freak-Out Over Creepy Clowns|Tracy McNicoll|October 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The sun was shining when they arrived at Salon, the gayest, the most coquettish, the most laughing little town in Provence.
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol|William J. Locke
Suddenly she stopped laughing, and said in a low voice, "You don't happen to have a beefsteak about you, do you?"
Davy and The Goblin|Charles E. Carryl
Don't chaff, Shirtings; you're a very good fellow, you know, but I'm not in a laughing humour.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
He could hardly keep from laughing, when it was made clear to him that this was what the Indian father expected.
Ramona|Helen Hunt Jackson
I couldn't help laughing, and he made a great many jokes at the expense of the waiters and everybody else.
Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay