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

As this dark comedy’s opening credits roll, they’re blissfully practicing their first dance, laughing and stumbling as they try to get their twirls and steps right.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

Littler responded to Van Veen's quotes with laughing emojis on his Instagram story, also posting an image showing the PDC titles he has won over the past two years.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

“It’s like in ‘Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade’ where he has to choose the goblet,” he says, laughing.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

“At first, players were laughing at me,” he says.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

“Not at all. You said that you’d like a name that was warm and personal. I’m laughing with you, not at you, but only if you’d like that.”

From "The Very, Very Far North" by Dan Bar-el

Related Words

• humorous