laughter

[laf-ter, lahf-]

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.

laughter

/ ˈlɑːftə /

noun

1. the action of or noise produced by laughing

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

Other Word Forms

• laughterless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of laughter¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of laughter¹

Old English hleahtor; related to Old Norse hlātr

Example Sentences

"Then everyone just burst into a mixture of spontaneous laughter and applause."

From BBC

But for us, our shared delight, laughter and gratitude are enough.

From Los Angeles Times

If, however, at lunch in a restaurant near his Beverly Hills boutique during one of his occasional visits, a screen idol stopped by his table, he melted into schoolboy smiles and blushing laughter.

From Los Angeles Times

In other words, laughter and rhythm make lessons stick.

From Salon

Their smiles and laughter suggest it was a bit of banter, but might they be on to something?

From BBC

Related Words

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