noun
guffaw
guh-FAW
Guffaw (noun) means a loud, boisterous laugh. Example: “His guffaw echoed across the room.”
noun
1
A loud, boisterous laugh.
"His guffaw echoed across the room."
"She let out a guffaw at the joke."
"The audience broke into guffaws during the comedian's routine."
verb
1
To laugh loudly and boisterously.
"He guffawed so hard he nearly fell off his chair."
"They guffawed at the ridiculous story."
"She guffawed loudly, drawing looks from nearby tables."
How to use guffaw
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA big, loud laugh, or to laugh that way.
When to use it
It describes a laugh that is notably loud and unrestrained, rather than a quiet chuckle.
Memory tip
Say it as one word with the stress on the second syllable: guh-FAW.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
let out a guffaw
guffaw loudly
burst into a guffaw
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like guffaw.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
His _____ echoed across the room.
Etymology
Guffaw was first recorded in the early eighteenth century. It began as a Scots word and is thought to imitate the sound of a loud laugh.
Synonyms
View more →
belly laugh
Frequently asked questions
What does guffaw mean?
It means a loud, boisterous laugh, or the act of laughing that way.
What's the difference between a guffaw and an ordinary laugh?
A guffaw refers specifically to a loud, unrestrained laugh, while 'laugh' is the general word covering any kind.
Where does the word guffaw come from?
It was first recorded in the early eighteenth century, originally in Scots, and is thought to imitate the sound of laughter.
What is the meaning of guffaw?
"guffaw" (noun) means a loud, boisterous laugh.
