laughter
Americannoun
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the action or sound of laughing.
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an inner quality, mood, disposition, etc., suggestive of laughter; mirthfulness.
a man of laughter and goodwill.
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an expression or appearance of merriment or amusement.
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Archaic. an object of laughter; subject or matter for amusement.
noun
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the action of or noise produced by laughing
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the experience or manifestation of mirth, amusement, scorn, or joy
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of laughter
before 900; Middle English; Old English hleahtor; cognate with Old High German hlahtar, Old Norse hlātr; see laugh
Explanation
Whether you giggle or chuckle or snort with amusement, what you're producing is laughter. Laughter is also what people hear when you laugh. Funny movies, your friends' jokes, and absurd or embarrassing situations all cause laughter, which is the word for both the action and the sound of someone laughing. Laughter can be a silent, shaking movement, or a loud guffaw. There are a few other primates besides humans who experience laughter, and most babies can shake with laughter before they're even able to speak.
Vocabulary lists containing laughter
Comedy Lingo
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Spelling Practice 2, Unit 6
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"The fun and laughter we had will always live with me for the rest of my life," she said.
From BBC • May 27, 2026
Ms. Hruska reminds us of Brod’s claim that Kafka reduced his friends to helpless laughter when he read his story about a man who woke up transformed into an insect.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026
"I am a great admirer of America's, but right now my admiration is not increasing," he said, to laughter from the audience.
From Barron's • May 15, 2026
“Known for his larger-than-life presence on screen and his kindness off screen, he brought joy, laughter, and unforgettable memories to countless people throughout his life and career,” the statement said.
From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2026
Boo breaks into peals of laughter and shakes her head no.
From "The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman" by Gennifer Choldenko
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
