laughter

noun

laugh·​ter ˈlaf-tər How to pronounce laughter (audio)
ˈläf-
1
: a sound of or as if of laughing
2
archaic : a cause of merriment

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Downtown Parkway, Gatlinburg, Tennessee Walking Gatlinburg’s Downtown Parkway is a full-body sensory experience: sweet smells, bright colors, and the soundtrack of bluegrass, rushing water, and laughter. Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 21 July 2025 Where once there were lawsuits and silence, there is now muscle memory, laughter, a chord progression rediscovered over coffee. Arkansas Online, 19 July 2025 Their days are filled with nursery planning and laughter. Ashley Vega, People.com, 18 July 2025 Imagine the impact if, over the next year, districts committed to bringing conversation and laughter back to their schools’ hallways. Jonathan Haidt, Denver Post, 17 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for laughter

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of laughter was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Laughter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/laughter. Accessed 26 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

laughter

noun
laugh·​ter ˈlaf-tər How to pronounce laughter (audio)
ˈlȧf-
: the action or sound of laughing

More from Merriam-Webster on laughter

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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