guffaw

[ guh-faw, guh- ]

noun

1. a loud, unrestrained burst of laughter.

verb (used without object)

1. to laugh loudly and boisterously.

guffaw

/ ɡʌˈfɔː /

noun

1. a crude and boisterous laugh

verb

1. to laugh crudely and boisterously or express (something) in this way

Word History and Origins

Origin of guffaw¹

First recorded in 1710–20; perhaps imitative

Word History and Origins

Origin of guffaw¹

C18: of imitative origin

Example Sentences

Trump picked up the lie during Tuesday's presidential debate, raving incoherently about how immigrants are "eating the dogs" and "eating the cats," which caused Harris to reply with a guffaw, "Talk about extreme."

From Salon

“It’s good!” he insists, augmenting a mild trickle of amusement with his own hoarse guffaw.

From Salon

“You know that laugh,” he said of his wife’s great, gusting guffaw, which critics have sought to weaponize.

From Los Angeles Times

While the typical person observes Harris’ effervescent guffaw, and thinks, “She seems fun!”

From Salon

John Roberts makes a riff referencing Young Frankenstein, which causes Hurt to guffaw and rave about “one of Trump’s greatest gifts,” which is “to take what’s obvious to everyone and boil it down into very vivid and colorful language.”

From Slate

Related Words

• laughter