laugh

LAF/læf/UKLAHF/lɑːf/

Verblaughs, laughing, laughed

Noun plurallaughs

8 meanings of laugh

Practice

1
show amusementverbintransitive
To smile and make happy sounds because something is funny or pleasing.
Like sunshine breaking across someone's face when they hear something funny.
The whole class began to laugh at the joke.
She laughed until her sides hurt.
UsageSay laugh at a joke, or laugh about something later.
Similarchuckle, giggle, chortle, guffaw
Oppositecry, weep
Note
2
the soundnouncountable
The happy sound a person makes when something is funny.
Like a sudden burst of happy sound.
Her laugh echoed across the empty hall.
Their laughs filled the theater during the comedy.
UsageA laugh is one sound. Laughter means laughing in general.
Similarchuckle, giggle, chortle
Note
3
make funverbintransitive
To make fun of someone in an unkind or mocking way.
The other kids laughed at him for tripping over.
Don't laugh at people when they make a mistake.
UsageLaugh at someone is unkind; laugh with someone is sharing the fun.
Similarscoff, jeer, sneer
Note
4
funny thingnouncountable
A thing or person that makes people laugh or that people make fun of.
That excuse is a laugh, and nobody believes it.
His first attempt at cooking turned into a real laugh for the family.
UsageThat's a laugh! means that is silly or untrue.
Similarjoke, farce
Note
5
express by gigglingverbtransitive
To say or show something while laughing.
Kids laugh their thanks when you hand out candy.
He laughed his thanks and waved goodbye.
UsageSay laughed his thanks: he thanked them with a laugh.
Note

Less common meanings

6
verbtransitive
To change what someone does by laughing at them.
They try to laugh me out of every good idea.
His classmates laughed him out of wearing the silly hat.
UsageSay laugh someone out of something.
Note
7
fun personnounBritishNew Zealandcountable
A person who is fun and enjoyable to be around.
Like the friend everyone wants to invite to a party.
Your brother's a right laugh down the pub.
She's a good laugh on a night out with the lads.
UsageSay he's a good laugh.
Similarscream, hoot, riot, card
Oppositebore
Note
8
look brightverbobsoletefigurativelyintransitive
To look bright, happy, and full of life.
Like a field that seems to smile when the sun comes out.
The green fields seem to laugh in the spring sunshine.
After the rain, the whole valley laughs with color.
Note

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of laugh apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

From Old English words like hliehhan meaning to laugh, from older Germanic roots.

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 3 facts

Laugh derives from Old English forms including hliehhan. en.wiktionary.org
Old English hliehhan means to laugh. en.wiktionary.org
The Old English word derives from older Germanic forms. en.wiktionary.org