laughter

noun

LAF-tur/ˈlæftɚ/UKLAHF-tuh/ˈlɑːftə/

3 meanings of laughter

1
noununcountable
The sound people make when they laugh.
Her laughter filled the whole room.
We could hear laughter coming from the kitchen.
Similarlaughing, hilarity, mirth, merriment
Oppositecrying, tears, weeping
Note
2
noununcountable
A movement of your face and body showing you are happy, pleased, or making fun of something.
Her whole body shook with laughter at the joke.
The funny film left them weak with laughter.
Similarhilarity, mirth, laughing
Oppositetears, crying
Note
3
nounarchaicuncountable
Something that gives people a reason to laugh.
The proud man's fall was a laughter to everyone in town.
Her boastful words turned into a laughter for the crowd.
Note

Practice

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Origin

It comes from Old English "hleahtor," meaning laughter. This goes back to an old Germanic word for laughter.