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noun B1 Intermediate Common

laughter

LAHF-tuh

Laughter (noun) means the sound or act of laughing. Example: “Laughter echoed through the house during the family reunion.”

noun
1
The sound or act of laughing.
"Laughter echoed through the house during the family reunion."
"The comedian's set was met with roars of laughter."

How to use laughter

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe noise and reaction produced when people laugh.

Common pairings
burst into laughter gales of laughter laughter erupted

Word forms

laughters plural, Laughters plural

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Test yourself on “laughter” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

_____ echoed through the house during the family reunion.

Etymology

From Old English hleahtor, related to Old High German hlahtar, all imitating the sound of laughing.

Origin: Old English

Related words

Rhymes for laughter

See all rhymes for laughter →

Frequently asked questions

What does “laughter” mean?

The word “laughter” means the sound or act of laughing. In plain terms, the noise and reaction produced when people laugh.

How do you pronounce “laughter”?

“Laughter” is pronounced LAHF-tuh (/ˈlæftɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “laughter” in a sentence?

Here is “laughter” used in a sentence: “Laughter echoed through the house during the family reunion.”

What is another word for “laughter”?

Words with a similar meaning to “laughter” include laugh.

What part of speech is “laughter”?

“Laughter” is a noun.

Where does the word “laughter” come from?

The word “laughter” comes from Old English. From Old English hleahtor, related to Old High German hlahtar, all imitating the sound of laughing.

Is “laughter” a common word?

“Laughter” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

What is the difference between laughter and a laugh?

A laugh usually refers to a single act or instance, as in she gave a laugh. Laughter is an uncountable noun for the sound or act of laughing in general, as in the room filled with laughter.

Is laughter countable or uncountable?

Laughter is an uncountable noun, so it is not normally used with a or in the plural. You would say a lot of laughter or bursts of laughter rather than laughters.

What words commonly go with laughter?

Laughter frequently appears in phrases like burst into laughter, roar with laughter, and fits of laughter. Adjectives such as nervous, hysterical, and infectious often describe it.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial