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

The couple were once again photographed in deep laughter with Clooney at the 64th annual Berlinale International Film Festival in 2014. — Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 21 July 2026

At the end of it all, there was laughter, joy and applause cascading from every corner of Miami Stadium. — Sergio Gonzalez, New York Times, 19 July 2026

When Mexico won 2-0, the crowd erupted into cheers, whistles and laughter. — Meredith Nierman, NPR, 17 July 2026

The play’s issues are greatly outweighed by the many hilarious lines that crackle all over the stage, so many of them perfectly timed and out of left field, causing surprising morsels of legit laughter. — David John Chávez, Mercury News, 17 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