Laughter Definition, Examples & Usage Guide

Meaning 1：laughing (laughter)

laughter 🔊

/ˈlæftər/

The sound or action that happens when people laugh because something is funny.

laughing 🔊

➕

/ˈlæfɪŋ/

The sound or action produced when people laugh, typically from finding something funny or enjoyable.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From 'laugh' + '-ter' (Old English noun suffix denoting action or result).

💡 Mnemonic

Laugh + 'ter' sounds like 'tear' - laugh until tears come.

📖 Example

Laughter echoed through the hallway as the children played a silly game. 🔊 Laughter echoed through the hallway as the children played a silly game.

🔗 Collocations

burst into laughter – to suddenly start laughing

roar with laughter – to laugh very loudly and heartily

laughter therapy – a therapeutic practice using laughter to promote health and well-being

🔄 Synonyms

chuckle (n.) – a quiet or suppressed laugh

giggle (n.) – a light, silly laugh often in a high-pitched manner

guffaw (n.) – a loud and unrestrained burst of laughter

🚫 Antonyms

crying (n.) – the act of shedding tears as an expression of sorrow

sob (n.) – a convulsive gasping sound made while crying

🌱 Derivatives

laugh (v.) – to make the sounds and movements of amusement

laughable (adj.) – causing laughter or mockery; ridiculous

laughingstock (n.) – a person who is subject to ridicule or mockery

📖 Cultural Story

Laughter derives from Old English 'hleahtor', an onomatopoeic word. Cognates exist in Germanic languages, highlighting its ancient, universal nature.