laughter

[ laf-ter, lahf- ]

noun

1. the action or sound of laughing. laughing.
2. an inner quality, mood, disposition, etc., suggestive of laughter; mirthfulness:

   a man of laughter and goodwill.

3. an expression or appearance of merriment or amusement.
4. Archaic. an object of laughter; subject or matter for amusement.

laughter

/ ˈlɑːftə /

noun

1. the action of or noise produced by laughing
2. the experience or manifestation of mirth, amusement, scorn, or joy

Other Words From

• laughter·less adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of laughter¹

before 900; Middle English; Old English hleahtor; cognate with Old High German hlahtar, Old Norse hlātr; laugh

Word History and Origins

Origin of laughter¹

Old English hleahtor; related to Old Norse hlātr

Example Sentences

“We continue to need art and connection and laughter, so we have an imperative to try to think safely about it,” said Liz Fehrenbach, program director at Joseph’s House.

From Washington Post

In my study of dog play, I shadowed dogs with a video camera rolling, and controlled my own delighted laughter at their fun long enough to record bouts of play, from a few seconds to many minutes long.

From Freakonomics

His laughter punctuates the conversation from behind a closed door.

From ProPublica

The shock — both at the crash and at the sudden cut — drives our laughter.

From Vox

She even resorted to removing her clothes, which led to amusement among the other gods who started roaring in joy and laughter.

From Realm of History

May their married life have laughter, and that they love one another forever after!

From The Daily Beast

If laughter is the best medicine, The Comeback made you feel enough pain to need a dose—and then it delivered in spades.

From The Daily Beast

Under the Sun King, such humor—and the laughter associated with it—was seen as more suitable for the masses.

From The Daily Beast

“Robin had us blubbing with laughter all the way through one dinner,” Gilkes recalls.

From The Daily Beast

Obama said, through laughter, according to an eyewitness report of the meeting in The Telegraph.

From The Daily Beast

His books were read in our homes, often aloud to the family circle by paterfamilias, and moved us to laughter or tears.

From Project Gutenberg

This was said with a comical air of doubt, and a half smile, which sent a ripple of laughter over the charming face.

From Project Gutenberg

After supper, stories were told and the laughter, which was loud and long, lasted far into the night.

From Project Gutenberg

“It would cost the blood and tears and laughter of the human race,” said Aristide.

From Project Gutenberg

Her chum leaned against the door jamb while peal after peal of laughter shook her.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• amusement
• chuckle
• giggle
• glee
• guffaw
• hilarity
• laugh
• mirth
• roar
• shout
• shriek
• snicker