What does "laugh" mean?
An expression of mirth particular to the human species; the sound heard in laughing; laughter.
Laugh
/laːf/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: An expression of mirth particular to the human species; the sound heard in laughing; laughter.
- Grammar: laugh is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: gag, joke, laughter, be in heaven.
- Useful contrasts: more continuous tearing, most reflex tearing, blub.
- Usage evidence: Laugh as much as you like; I'll stick to my plan to the bitter end.
How to use "laugh"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "laugh" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "laugh" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "laugh" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "laugh" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "laugh" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "gag" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "laugh", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 An expression of mirth particular to the human species; the sound heard in laughing; laughter.
"And the loud laugh that spoke the vacant mind."
- 2 a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter wordnet
- 3 Something that provokes mirth or scorn.
"“And this rug,” he says, stomping on an old rag carpet. “How much do you suppose that cost?” ¶ It was my first guess, so I said fifty dollars. ¶ “That’s a laugh,” he said. “I paid two thousand for that rug.”"
- 4 a facial expression characteristic of a person laughing wordnet
- 5 A fun person. British, New-Zealand
"a good laugh"
Show 1 more definition
- 6 the sound of laughing wordnet
Verb
- 1 To show mirth, satisfaction, or derision, by peculiar movement of the muscles of the face, particularly of the mouth, causing a lighting up of the face and eyes, and usually accompanied by the emission of explosive or chuckling sounds from the chest and throat; to indulge in laughter. intransitive
"There were many laughing children running on the school grounds."
- 2 produce laughter wordnet
- 3 To be or appear cheerful, pleasant, mirthful, lively, or brilliant; to sparkle; to sport. figuratively, intransitive, obsolete
"The green ſtem grows in ſtature and in ſize, / But only feeds with hope the farmer's eyes; / Then laughs the childiſh year with flow'rets crowned, / And laviſhly prefumes the fields around, / But no ſubſtantial nouriſhment receives, / Infirm the ſtalks, unſolid are the leaves."
- 4 To make an object of laughter or ridicule; to make fun of; to deride; to mock. intransitive
"Don't laugh at my new hat, man!"
- 5 To affect or influence by means of laughter or ridicule. transitive
"Will you laugh me aſleepe, for I am very heauy."
Show 1 more definition
- 6 To express by, or utter with, laughter. transitive
"From his deepe cheſt laughes out a lowd applauſe, [...]"
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"Laugh as much as you like; I'll stick to my plan to the bitter end."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "laugh"?
Common synonyms include: gag, joke, laughter, be in heaven, be in stitches, be pleased.
How do you use "laugh" in a sentence?
Laugh as much as you like; I'll stick to my plan to the bitter end.
How do you pronounce "laugh"?
Pronounced /laːf/.
Etymology
From Middle English laughen, laghen, from (Anglian) Old English hlæhhan, hlehhan, (West Saxon) hliehhan, from Proto-West Germanic *hlahhjan, from Proto-Germanic *hlahjaną. Cognates Germanic: Scots lauch (“to laugh”), Yola leeigh, leigh (“to laugh”), North Frisian laache, lachi, laake, loache, lååke (“to laugh”), Saterland Frisian laachje (“to laugh”), West Frisian laitsje (“to laugh”), Alemannic German lache (“to laugh”), Cimbrian lachan (“to laugh”), Dutch, German, and Low German lachen (“to laugh”), Luxembourgish laachen (“to laugh”), Yiddish לאַכן (lakhn, “to laugh”), Danish, Norwegian Bokmål, and Swedish le (“to laugh”), Elfdalian läa (“to laugh”), Faroese læa (“to laugh”), Icelandic hlæja (“to laugh”), Norwegian Nynorsk le, læ, læja (“to laugh”), Crimean Gothic lachen (“to laugh”), Gothic 𐌷𐌻𐌰𐌷𐌾𐌰𐌽 (hlahjan, “to laugh”). Indo-European: Breton kloc'h (“bell”), Irish clog (“bell; clock”), Manx and Scottish Gaelic clag (“bell”), Welsh cloch (“bell”), Russian клекота́ть (klekotátʹ), клокота́ть (klokotátʹ), клохта́ть (kloxtátʹ, “to cluck, cackle”).