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; see origin at laugh, -ing ¹, -ing ²

Example Sentences

"Young Reble," she says, laughing softly, "was always by herself. No friends. Sitting in one corner. Everybody was like, who's that weird girl?"

From BBC • May 15, 2026

It’s a skill for a comedian to be able to sit in the pocket of a crowd’s energy and keep a room full of people laughing and on their toes at the same time.

From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2026

"It's one thing after another," Victor said, laughing.

From Barron's • May 11, 2026

Audiences couldn’t stop laughing during parts of a recent performance of “Gruesome Playground Injuries.”

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

He liked playing tag with a bit of hare-skin, and when the cub pounced on him he rolled on the ground, making odd yip-and-yowls which the cub guessed was his way of laughing.

From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver

Related Words

• humorous