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

Down at the bottom of the hill, four aspen trees by the barn flashed the lighter sides of their leaves and then flashed back, a silent laughter. — Emily Ruskovich, The Atlantic, 7 July 2026

There was applause and laughter, then the Pledge of Allegiance. — Jesse Bedayn, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026

Students enter the classroom about a minute later, and voices, whispers and laughter can be heard before the recording ends. — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 7 July 2026

All Balogun playing did was make the Americans seem like bullies who just lost the fight as everyone else howled laughter. — Miami Herald, 7 July 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