laughter

noun

laugh·​ter ˈlaf-tər 

ˈläf-

1

: a sound of or as if of laughing

2

archaic : a cause of merriment

Synonyms of laughter

• chuckle
• giggle
• laugh
• snicker

Examples of laughter in a Sentence

The audience roared with laughter.

the nervous producers were reassured by the sounds of laughter coming from the theater

Recent Examples on the Web

His obituary remembered his infectious laughter and gentle spirit, noting his kindness, genuineness, and reliability. —Matthew Davisson, CBS News, 19 June 2026

Bill Clinton breaks into laughter as Ronald Reagan presents him with a jar of red, white and blue jelly beans that, Reagan said, kept him from going to back to cigarettes. —Diane J. Cho, PEOPLE, 18 June 2026

The fierce woman who always wore black, who could light up a room with her sly jokes and smoky laughter, grew quieter and more fragile after losing her lover. —Literary Hub, 18 June 2026

There has been upheaval all around us for more than twenty years, most of it concealed in the name of protecting the laughter. —Miami Herald, 18 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English hleahtor; akin to Old English hliehhan

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing laughter

• erupt in laughter
• fit of laughter
• howl with laughter
• laughter lines

Rhymes for laughter

• after
• drafter
• rafter
• hereafter
• thereafter
• hereinafter
• thereinafter

Kids Definition

laughter

noun

laugh·​ter ˈlaf-tər 

ˈlȧf-

: the action or sound of laughing