laughter

American  

[laf-ter, lahf-] / ˈlæf tər, ˈlɑf- /

noun

1. the action or sound of laughing. laughing.

2. an inner quality, mood, disposition, etc., suggestive of laughter; mirthfulness.

   a man of laughter and goodwill.

3. an expression or appearance of merriment or amusement.

4. Archaic.  an object of laughter; subject or matter for amusement.

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laughter British  

/ ˈlɑːftə /

noun

1. the action of or noise produced by laughing

2. the experience or manifestation of mirth, amusement, scorn, or joy

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Other Word Forms

• laughterless adjective

Etymology

Origin of laughter

before 900; Middle English; Old English hleahtor; cognate with Old High German hlahtar, Old Norse hlātr; laugh

Example Sentences

But there was no mocking in their laughter.

From Los Angeles Times

"I really enjoy the laughter created by what I write, and actors in it," he said in a 2003 interview.

From Barron's

Some chase laughter, watching funny movies or comedy clips.

From The Wall Street Journal

"Years filled with tears and laughter, kindness, and a love that shaped our family more than words could ever capture," he added in the message, shared on his Virgin Group's website.

From Barron's

"From theatre to film and television, he brought us laughter, emotion, comfort and courage," the president wrote on Facebook.

From BBC

Related Words

• amusement
• chuckle
• giggle
• glee
• guffaw
• hilarity
• laugh
• mirth
• roar
• shout
• shriek
• snicker