laughter
LAHF-tuh
Laughter (noun) means the sound or act of laughing. Example: “Her joke was followed by a burst of laughter from the back row.”
noun
1
The sound or act of laughing.
"Her joke was followed by a burst of laughter from the back row."
"Their loud laughter betrayed their presence."
"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 notesIn plain EnglishThe noise and reaction produced when people laugh.
Common pairings
burst into laughter
gales of laughter
laughter erupted
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Word forms
- Plural
- laughters
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Her joke was followed by a burst of _____ from the back row.
Etymology
From Old English hleahtor, related to Old High German hlahtar, all imitating the sound of laughing.
Synonyms
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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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