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; laugh, -ing ¹, -ing ²

Example Sentences

At one point Dan looked at me and started laughing as I tried to make myself wafer thin.

From Los Angeles Times

He jumped down from the stage where he and the judges sat and joined the crowd, laughing and singing with the audience.

From Los Angeles Times

In an interview from the Immigrant Defenders Law Center in downtown L.A., he said it felt great “to get back to my routine, going to school, not being locked up, being free, laughing, learning more.”

From Los Angeles Times

Endorphins are the brain's "happy chemicals" and are released both to reduce stress and pain and in response to pleasurable experiences, such as laughing with friends over a truly terrible Christmas cracker joke.

From BBC

Compare that to this 1969 Christmas card, which shows the royals laughing, smiling and gathered around a boat.

From BBC

Related Words

• humorous