laugh

¹laugh

verb \ˈlaf, ˈläf\

Definition of LAUGH

intransitive verb

1

a : to show emotion (as mirth, joy, or scorn) with a chuckle or explosive vocal sound b : to find amusement or pleasure in something <laughed at his own clumsiness> c : to become amused or derisive <a very skeptical public laughed at our early efforts — Graenum Berger>

2

a : to produce the sound or appearance of laughter <a laughing brook> b : to be of a kind that inspires joy

transitive verb

1

: to influence or move by laughter <laughed the bad singer off the stage>

2

: to utter with a laugh

— laugh·ing·ly \ˈla-fiŋ-lē, ˈlä-\ adverb

Examples of LAUGH

1. What are you laughing about?
2. The audience was laughing hysterically.
3. I've never laughed so hard in my life.
4. I couldn't stop laughing when I saw what he was wearing.
5. I laughed out loud when I saw him.
6. He laughed so hard I thought he'd die laughing.
7. The movie was hilarious. We laughed our heads off.
8. “I've never seen anything so ridiculous,” he laughed.

Origin of LAUGH

Middle English, from Old English hliehhan; akin to Old High German lachēn to laugh

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to LAUGH

Synonyms: break up, cackle, chortle, chuckle, crack up, giggle, hee-haw, roar, scream, snicker, titter, twitter, split one's sides

Related Words: grin, smile

Near Antonyms: bawl, blubber, cry, sob, weep; howl, scream, squall, wail, yowl; bleat, pule, whimper, whine; sniffle, snivel; groan, moan, sigh

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with LAUGH

caff, calf, chaff, daff, gaff, gaffe, graph, half, quaff, raff, sclaff, staff, staph, Waf, waff