guffaw

American  

[guh-faw, guh-] / gʌˈfɔ, gə- /

noun

1. a loud, unrestrained burst of laughter.

---

verb (used without object)

1. to laugh loudly and boisterously.

guffaw British  

/ ɡʌˈfɔː /

noun

1. a crude and boisterous laugh

---

verb

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

Etymology

Origin of guffaw

First recorded in 1710–20; perhaps imitative

Example Sentences

But even now, the news will occasionally let you get off a chuckle or guffaw, even if it isn’t always from your better nature.

From Slate • Oct. 10, 2025

A full-body guffaw, followed by her pointing at the screen and saying, “I know exactly what he means.”

From New York Times • Dec. 20, 2023

Farther on, standing before “Pay Nothing Until April,” an exceptional 2003 painting that I hadn’t seen before, I let out an involuntary guffaw.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 20, 2023

My mother let out a big mocking guffaw.

From Salon • Mar. 23, 2023

Yossarian felt terrible; he could hardly bear to look at Nately’s battered countenance, even though the sight was so comical he was tempted to guffaw.

From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller

Related Words

• laughter