laugh
lahf
Laugh (verb) means to make the sound and facial movements that show amusement or delight. Example: “The whole audience laughed at the comedian's opening joke.”
verb
1
To make the sound and facial movements that show amusement or delight.
"The whole audience laughed at the comedian's opening joke."
"She couldn't stop laughing at the video of the cat falling off the sofa."
"Whenever my grandad tells that story, we all laugh until our sides hurt."
noun
1
The act or sound of laughing.
"He let out a loud laugh when he saw the surprise party."
"Her laugh was so infectious that the whole room started giggling too."
"I heard a nervous laugh from the back of the classroom."
2
Something that causes amusement; a source of fun.
"We only went to the karaoke bar for a laugh."
"The trip was a laugh from start to finish."
"Our teacher is a real laugh and makes even grammar fun."
How to use laugh
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo show you find something funny by making that familiar sound and smiling or grinning.
Common pairings
laugh out loud
laugh at something
have a laugh
burst out laughing
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like laugh.
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
Word forms
- Plural
- laughs
- Third person singular
- laughs
- Past tense
- laughed
- Archaic forms
- laughest, laughedst, laugheth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The whole audience _____ at the comedian's opening joke.
Etymology
From Old English hliehhan/hlæhhan, of Germanic origin, imitating the sound of laughter itself.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for laugh
See all rhymes for laugh →Frequently asked questions
What does “laugh” mean?
The word “laugh” means to make the sound and facial movements that show amusement or delight. In plain terms, to show you find something funny by making that familiar sound and smiling or grinning.
How do you pronounce “laugh”?
“Laugh” is pronounced lahf (/læf/ in IPA).
How do you use “laugh” in a sentence?
Here is “laugh” used in a sentence: “The whole audience laughed at the comedian's opening joke.”
What is the opposite of “laugh”?
The opposite of “laugh” — its antonyms — are cry and weep.
What part of speech is “laugh”?
Depending on how it is used, “laugh” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “laugh” come from?
The word “laugh” comes from Old English. From Old English hliehhan/hlæhhan, of Germanic origin, imitating the sound of laughter itself.
Is “laugh” a common word?
“Laugh” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “laugh” have?
“Laugh” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to make the sound and facial movements that show amusement or delight.
What is the difference between 'laugh' and 'smile'?
A smile is a silent facial expression, the corners of the mouth turning up. A laugh goes further, adding sound and often movement of the whole body, driven by stronger amusement or delight. You can smile quietly at a pleasant thought, but a laugh usually bursts out.
What is the difference between 'laugh' and 'giggle'?
Both express amusement through sound. A giggle is light, high, and often nervous or silly, usually quieter and more restrained. A full laugh is broader, ranging from a soft chuckle to a loud roar. Giggling tends to suggest something more childlike, bashful, or hard to suppress.
Is laughing good for you?
Yes. Laughter is widely linked to wellbeing: it can ease stress, lift mood, and strengthen social bonds. It briefly boosts breathing and circulation and releases feel-good brain chemicals. While not a cure for illness, the old idea that laughter is good medicine reflects how it relaxes and connects people.
What are the different types of laughs?
English has many words for shades of laughter. A chuckle is quiet and low, a giggle light and high, a chortle gleeful, a cackle harsh or shrill, a snicker sly or mocking, and a guffaw loud and hearty. Each describes a different sound and mood.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include laugh:
