Laughter
ˈlɑːftər
Definitions
The act or sound of expressing amusement or happiness.
ˈlɑːftər
The action or sound of laughing.
The comedian's jokes elicited peals of laughter from the audience.
💡 Simply: Imagine you hear a really funny joke. The noise you make when you're happy about it is laughter. Like, when your friend tells a silly story and you can't stop giggling, that's laughter!
👶 For kids: When something is funny and you make a happy sound, that's laughter!
More Examples
Her infectious laughter spread joy to everyone around her.
He couldn't contain his laughter when he saw his friend trip.
How It's Used
"The sound of children's laughter filled the playground."
"Her laughter echoed through the empty halls."
Idioms & expressions
burst into laughter
To suddenly start laughing.
"When the clown tripped, the entire crowd burst into laughter."
have the last laugh
To ultimately succeed, especially after being initially ridiculed or disadvantaged.
"Though many doubted her at first, she had the last laugh when her invention became a success."
From Middle English *laughtere*, from Old English *hlæhter* (“laughter”), from Proto-Germanic *hlah-itraz* (“laughter”), related to Proto-Germanic *hlahjaną* (“to laugh”).
Used in literature and everyday language since Old English.
Memory tip
Think of the sound: HA-HA-HA! That's laughter!