laugh1 verblaugh2 noun
laughlaugh1 /lɑːf $ læf/ ●●● S2 W2 verb 
WORD ORIGINlaugh1
Origin:
Old English hliehhanVERB TABLE
laugh
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | laugh |
| he, she, it | laughs | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | laughed |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have laughed |
| he, she, it | has laughed | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had laughed |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will laugh |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have laughed |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am laughing |
| he, she, it | is laughing | |
| you, we, they | are laughing | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was laughing |
| you, we, they | were laughing | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been laughing |
| he, she, it | has been laughing | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been laughing |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be laughing |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been laughing |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- "It won't even be cold when we get there," Sabina laughed.
- I laughed all the way through the film.
- I couldn't understand what they were all laughing about.
- I thought Dad would be angry, but he just laughed.
- No-one laughed at his jokes.
- We just looked at each other and burst out laughing.
- We were laughing so hard we couldn't stop.
- Frankly, we don't know whether to laugh or cry.
- Humans can be reduced to tears by tickling, but most of the time we laugh because of auditory cues.
- Looking down, she saw him beside a bush, only half concealed, laughing at her face.
- Mrs Meiers blamed me because I laughed.
THESAURUS
to make sounds with your voice and move your face, because you think that something is funny: · He looked so funny that we couldn’t stop laughing.
to laugh quickly in a high voice, especially in a slightly silly way, or because you are nervous or embarrassed: · A group of teenage girls were giggling in a corner.· She tends to giggle when she meets new people.
to laugh quietly, especially because you are thinking about or reading something funny: · He was chuckling to himself over an article in the paper.· ‘We used to get up to all kinds of mischief.’ She chuckled at the memory.
British English, snicker American English to laugh quietly in an unkind or unpleasant way, for example when someone is hurt or embarrassed: · Billy stood up and started to sing, and one or two people sniggered.
to laugh quietly in a high voice, especially about something that is rude or about sex, or is embarrassing for someone: · As a nation we love to titter over politicians’ sex scandals.· schoolboys tittering over a magazine
to laugh very loudly, especially with a deep voice: · I could hear my father roaring with laughter at something on TV.
to laugh very loudly, especially with a high voice: · Patsy chased him down the stairs, shrieking with laughter.
to laugh very loudly – used especially about a group of people laughing together: · His plays have made audiences howl with laughter.
laughing so much that you cannot stop: · It was such a funny film – it had us all in stitches.
to laugh very loudly and without trying to stop yourself: · The audience guffawed at his nonstop jokes.
to laugh loudly in an unpleasant way: · The old woman cackled at the trouble she was causing.
Longman Language Activatorto laugh because something is funny to laugh because something is funny or because you are enjoying yourself: · I laughed all the way through the film.· I thought Dad would be angry, but he just laughed.laugh about: · I couldn't understand what they were all laughing about.laugh at: · No-one laughed at his jokes.burst out laughing (=suddenly laugh loudly): · We just looked at each other and burst out laughing.
the sound you make when you laugh: · We could hear laughter coming from the next room.roar with laughter (=laugh very loudly): · The show was a great success, and had the audience roaring with laughter.burst/gurgle/snort etc of laughter: · There was a burst of laughter when he appeared.· Thelma gave a gurgle of laughter.
especially British if people have a laugh about something, they all laugh about it together: have a laugh about/at: · When I realised my mistake, we had a laugh about it.have a good laugh: · It was a bit scary at the time, but afterwards we all had a good laugh.
to laugh quietly, especially because you are thinking about something funny: · "Do you remember when Michelle fell in the river?" Morgan chuckled.chuckle at/about: · "We used to get up to all kinds of mischief." She chuckled at the memory.chuckle to yourself: · Simon sat reading a magazine, chuckling to himself.
to laugh quietly and repeatedly like a child because of something funny or because you are nervous or embarrassed: · She giggled nervously and went bright pink.giggle at/over: · Linda and Christina were giggling at some private joke.
to laugh quietly in a high voice, because you are nervous, embarrassed, or slightly amused: · As the teacher read the poem someone tittered.
to laugh in a cruel or nasty way to laugh or make unkind jokes about someone, because you think they are stupid or silly: · The other children laughed at Lisa because her clothes were old-fashioned.· At first I was terrified of being laughed at.
British /snicker American to laugh quietly at something that is not supposed to be funny, for example when someone is hurt or embarrassed: · Ruth tripped and fell as she walked up the steps. The boys behind her sniggered.· As he walked across the stage, Billy could hear people snickering and whispering.
to make someone or something seem stupid by laughing at them, or by saying things that make other people laugh at them: · Stop making fun of me!· The other girls used to make fun of the way she spoke.
if a group of people jeer at someone in a public place, they laugh unkindly at that person and shout rude things at them: · The boys jeered as she ran away.· He was booed and jeered by the spectators when he argued with the umpire.jeer at: · After the match the crowd were all jeering at him.
to laugh loudly to laugh very loudly because you think something is very funny: · Patsy chased him down the stairs, shrieking with laughter.roar/howl/shriek etc with laughter at: · Dad was roaring with laughter at something on TV and didn't hear me come in.· They howled with laughter at their own jokes.
to suddenly laugh loudly because you think a situation, someone's words, something you are reading etc is very funny: · John threw back his head and laughed out loud.· Wodehouse is one of the few writers who can make me laugh out loud.
to laugh loudly and unpleasantly in a high voice, like someone who is mad: · When I said this, he started cackling like a madman.· "Oh we've got him now!" I cackled, dancing round the room.
a very loud laugh : · With a roar of laughter, he lifted her off her feet and swung her round.· Everyone burst into peals of laughter.
to laugh a lot or for a long time to be unable to stop yourself from laughing: · Jonathan kept making funny faces at me and I just couldn't stop laughing.· It's so embarrassing when everyone else is being serious and you can't stop laughing.
to laugh so much that you cannot control yourself and could not stop laughing if you wanted to: · They both leant against the wall, laughing helplessly.· She was laughing hysterically at the thought of Mr Taylor stepping out of his caravan with no clothes on.
also have/get a fit of the giggles British informal to be unable to stop yourself laughing, especially in a situation when you should not laugh: · It's very difficult to be angry with somebody when you've got the giggles.· I got a dreadful fit of the giggles - I couldn't help myself!
informal to laugh a lot and very loudly because of what someone says or does: · When I told him what had happened, he laughed his head off.· I can't believe we were so stupid. Our competitors must be laughing their heads off.
to laugh a lot continuously and uncontrollably because someone says or does something extremely funny or stupid: · Everybody who heard this had hysterics.
British to laugh a lot in a very happy and cheerful way, especially because something has happened that you did not expect: · When we heard the news, we just fell about!fall about laughing: · When they saw what their father had done, they both fell about laughing.
informal if you say I nearly or almost died , you mean that something made you laugh so much that you almost couldn't stop laughing: · Did you see the look on his face? I nearly died.nearly/almost die laughing: · He said this very solemnly, and they nearly died laughing.
written a lot of laughter: · Jack put the phone down, and the children collapsed in gales of laughter.· There was a brief stunned silence, and then the entire family went into fits of laughter.
to make someone laugh · Rachel used to make us all laugh by imitating the teacher.· Thanks for your letter. It really made me laugh.
informal to be very funny and to make people laugh a lot: · Mr Bean really cracks me up. He's so funny.
to succeed in making people laugh, especially when they do not really feel like laughing: · None of my carefully-prepared jokes managed to raise a laugh.
also have somebody in fits British to make someone laugh uncontrollably: · Roger had us in hysterics with his account of his disastrous trip to Italy.· The cast included Paul Shane, whose quick wit had the audience in stitches.
if something amuses someone, it makes them laugh or smile because it is fairly funny: · Something in the report had obviously amused him.it amuses somebody to see/think something: · It amuses me to see politicians so eager to please at election time.
to stop yourself laughing if you try to keep a straight face , you try not to laugh or smile, because it would be rude to laugh, or you do not want someone to know you are joking: · When reading some of the competition entries, it was hard to keep a straight face.· "I think I've lost that camera you lent me," I said, trying to keep a straight face.with a straight face: · With a completely straight face, Thomas announced he was joining the Girl Guides.
when something or someone makes you laugh something or someone that is funny makes you laugh: · It was the funniest story I'd ever heard.· He can be pretty funny when he's had a few drinks.· The goat was chasing Mark round and round the field - it was so funny.look funny: · You look really funny in that hat.hilariously/hysterically funny: · Did you like 'Notting Hill'? I thought it was hilariously funny.
to make someone laugh, for example by telling a joke or doing something funny: · I must tell Jerry what you said - it'll make him laugh.· Charlie Chaplin was a great actor with a wonderful ability to make people laugh.· It always makes me laugh when you look at me like that.
especially written funny and entertaining enough to make you smile: · I like a newspaper with one or two amusing articles, as well as all the serious stuff.· He was a really special person, gentle and amusing at the same time.find something/somebody amusing: · Mrs Denton didn't find it amusing when I spilt all the paint on the floor. highly amusing: · My mother was embarrassed, but I found the situation highly amusing.
intended to be amusing - use this especially about stories, descriptions, songs, and other things that people write: · The book is a humorous account of a young man's travels in South America.· It was a brilliant speech - clear, precise and humorous.· humorous birthday cards
using words in a clever and amusing way: · Sam is intelligent, witty, and great fun to be with.· I enjoyed the play - it had a clever plot and a very witty script.
extremely funny - use this about situations, jokes, and stories, but not about people: · Our attempts at dancing were hilarious - we all kept tripping over each other.· the hilarious BBC comedy series 'Absolutely Fabulous'
especially written funny in a strange or unexpected way, although not always intended to be: · Carlo looked so comical, striding along in a coat which nearly touched the ground.· The puffin is an unusual sea bird, and there is something almost comical about the way it moves and looks.· Lizzie, bouncing along on the donkey, made a comical sight.
funny in a gentle way, and often about a subject that is usually serious: · We always try to keep our newsletter light-hearted, so that people will enjoy it.· The light-hearted way in which the author has approached this book should take some of the hard work out of trying to lose weight.take a light-hearted look at something: · The film takes a light-hearted look at life in prison.
informal if a person or activity is a laugh , they are amusing and give you a lot of fun: · There were about 100 people there and it was a laugh from beginning to end .a real laugh spoken: · Wait until you meet Tony. He's a real laugh.be a laugh a minute (=be very amusing ): · We all had to sleep in one tent and it was a laugh a minute.
informal if a person, situation, performance, film etc is a hoot , they are very funny and enjoyable: · The movie has a script that is smartly funny, and Hugh Grant is a hoot!· At the end of the day, there was the moms' soccer match, which was a hoot!
the ability to realize when something is funny British /sense of humor American your ability to understand and enjoy jokes, funny situations etc: · Mr Hardman was a popular teacher, renowned for his sense of humor.have a (good/great/strange etc) sense of humour: · I like Ann - she has such a good sense of humour.lose your sense of humour: · Maybe I'm losing my sense of humor but I didn't find it at all funny.
especially spoken to be able to laugh and not get angry when other people make jokes about you or do something that makes you look stupid: · I hope he can take a joke - have you seen what they've done to his car?· You may find army life difficult if you can't take a joke.
to realize that a situation that seems to be bad is also funny: · I explained that it was all my fault and fortunately she saw the funny side of the situation.see the funny side of it: · As a teacher, things often go wrong, and you have to be able to see the funny side of it.see the funny side of life: · A cartoonist's job is all about making people see the funny side of life.
to be able to laugh and joke about your own mistakes and faults or about past experiences which did not seem funny when they were happening: · We can laugh now, but at the time it seemed like the end of the world.can laugh at yourself: · Don't take yourself too seriously -- it's a good thing if you can laugh at yourself sometimes.
not worried also unconcerned formal · Sam had stayed out late before, so we weren't particularly worried when he didn't return.· Brian didn't seem at all concerned when the car broke down.not worried/concerned about · He insists that he is not worried about the poor showing his party made in the recent local elections. · For once, Karen seemed unconcerned about the possibility of being late for class. not in the least bit worried etc (=not at all worried) · Even after losing her job, she doesn't seem in the least bit worried.
feeling relaxed again because you do not need to worry about something that you worried about before: · "Oh," she said, relieved. "I'm so glad you're back."seem/feel/look/appear relieved: · The hostages simply look relieved to be going home.relieved that: · I was relieved that John was there to help me explain.· The government will be relieved that a crisis has been averted.relieved at: · Sahlin appeared relieved at my news.relieved to know/hear/find/learn etc something: · I'm so relieved to see you!· Polly was relieved to learn that her mother's illness was not a serious one.· Andrew was relieved to discover that he was not himself under suspicion.
spoken if something is a weight off your mind you do not have to worry any more because something has happened to make you feel happier about it: be a great/big/enormous weight off somebody's mind: · No doubt the news will be a huge weight off his mind.take a weight off somebody's mind: · Now that Peter has passed all his exams, it's taken a great weight off my mind.
the pleasant feeling you have when you no longer have to worry about something: · A white envelope lay on the mat. Holmes felt considerable relief.a feeling/sense of relief: · Edwards commented that the convictions give him a feeling of relief that he hopes the victim shares.with relief: · To her own surprise, she began sobbing with relief.to somebody's relief (=making them feel relieved): · To Greg's relief, nobody asked to check his ticket.· The rains came this weekend, much to the relief of tomato growers in Florida. breathe/heave a sigh of relief (=show by your behaviour that you are no longer worried about something): · You could hear the students breathing a collective sigh of relief when the final bell rang.it is a relief to know/hear/see/find etc: · It was such a relief to see Liz looking healthy again.· Mary says it's a relief to have someone to talk to at last.come as a relief: · The decision, announced on Thursday, came as a huge relief to the factory's 300 workers.
to not be worried by a problem because you do not think it is important enough: · I tried my best, and I certainly won't be losing any sleep over the result.· It's not that serious. I wouldn't lose sleep over it if I were you.
if you have no qualms about something, you are not worried about it, especially because you are sure it is the right thing to do: have no qualms about: · One protestor said he would have no qualms about bombing the clinic.· He was a man who had no qualms about preaching one thing and practising another in his private life.
cheerful and not worried about anything, because you do not have any real problems or responsibilities in your life: · I felt carefree for the first time in my life.· They both laughed, feeling like two carefree schoolgirls.
if someone is without a care in the world , they are not worried about anything at all and are happy: · I was just sixteen, young, confident and without a care in the world.· He puffed away on his pipe as if he didn't have a care in the world.
to laugh and refuse to worry or be serious about a problem, when someone is trying to talk to you about it: laugh off something: · Venables laughed off suggestions that he will be asked to retire.· She took praise with delight, and laughed off any criticisms with good humour.laugh it off: · She was genuinely angry, but Luke just tried to laugh it off.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYverbs
The pain made him cry aloud. She could have laughed aloud. Life is not exactly a barrel of laughs at the moment. It was so funny everyone just fell about laughing. She gave a little frown. Joel gave me a smile as I walked in. He gave her a big hug. His voice was harsh and menacing. Within minutes he had the whole audience laughing and clapping. Hugh laughed heartily at the joke. The programme has made the U.S. a laughing stock. ‘Through here,’ he managed to say, almost out of breath. ‘I thought so,’ she said with a sarcastic smile.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB
(=suddenly start laughing)· She looked at him and burst out laughing.
· I like Ron, he makes me laugh.
· He suddenly began to laugh.
(=to feel like laughing, even though it might be more polite not to)· He was so earnest that I wanted to laugh.
(=to not laugh, even though something is funny, because it would not be polite)· ‘Are you all right?’ Amy said, trying not to laugh.
British English (=laugh a lot)· He saw the look on my face and he just fell about laughing.
adverbs (=laugh so much that you cannot stop, because you find something extremely funny)· The people at the next table were laughing hysterically at us.
especially written (=laugh a lot)· Misha laughed heartily throughout the play.
(=laugh so that other people can hear you)· Some parts of the book were so funny that they made me laugh out loud.
phrases (=laugh a lot)· The audience laughed its head off all the way through.
· He leaned back in his chair and laughed till the tears ran down his face.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES The pain made him cry aloud. She could have laughed aloud.· He has the ability to make an audience laugh.
Life is not exactly a barrel of laughs at the moment.· ‘That’s a brilliant idea’! she said, laughing with delight.
· Lucy gave an embarrassed smile and looked down at her feet.
It was so funny everyone just fell about laughing. She gave a little frown. Joel gave me a smile as I walked in. He gave her a big hug. His voice was harsh and menacing. Within minutes he had the whole audience laughing and clapping. Hugh laughed heartily at the joke.· A few people laughed at his jokes, but some didn’t find them funny.
The programme has made the U.S. a laughing stock. ‘Through here,’ he managed to say, almost out of breath. (=be something serious and important, though it might seem funny)· A doctor’s bad handwriting is no laughing matter, because it can lead to errors.
· ‘It doesn’t matter,’ she said, with a nervous smile.
‘I thought so,’ she said with a sarcastic smile.· Quddus left the room, laughing aloud.· Uncrossing her ankles, she managed not to laugh aloud.· She wanted to laugh aloud at the prospect of the delight she would give.· However his ringing peroration struck most of those present as being ridiculous, and many laughed aloud.· So, when he treated me like this, I laughed aloud.· He looked, stared, then laughed aloud and moved.· Jurnet laughed aloud, the sound rumbling comfortably round the little church.
· This they did two or three times, forgetting my presence, and laughed heartily at the mistake.· He too laughs heartily, his face growing red with sake.· Pearce laughs heartily at the recollection.· At this, Kay Collins laughs heartily.· Derek, laughing heartily, gave me the key and I let myself in to meet my birthday present.· Across the room, a table of young men in fitted shirts is laughing heartily and splashing out wine.
VERB· Very good they are too: it's taken me a whole month to stop laughing!· She apologizes for her rudeness, but can not stop laughing.· Some of the audience had stopped laughing, too but not out of pity for Lucie.· Charlie had stopped laughing by then and had taken a mouthful of beer while he listened to whatever it was Jack said.· Polly caught the look on his face and stopped laughing.· But somewhere along the line they stopped laughing when they compared their own results with what we were achieving.· He had been recommended to see Ken's show, took a box for the evening and couldn't stop laughing.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► you have to laugh► be laughing all the way to the bank► somebody will be laughing on the other side of their face► laugh up your sleevePHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► be a bundle of laughs/fun► hollow laugh/voice etc
- It happens in part because our youthful efforts to cooperate in the realization of myth / truth are laughed out of court.
- Bill Shankly will be laughing somewhere up there as well.
- Both men were laughing, then talking in lower voices, and only snatches drifted to her now.
- But Fatima was laughing and loving herself with crossed arms.
- He was laughing with a group of female technicians and did not seem to be aware that anything unusual had happened.
- Initially, she claimed that when she left the gardens, Mrs McMullen was laughing and joking with McLean.
- Late the next morning, Hicks was laughing to himself as he drove.
- The eyes on her back were laughing at her, judging her.
- They are laughing, they are talking.
- I confronted my daughter, but she just laughed in my face.
- He mocks death, laughs in its face, and others of his ilk laugh in a chorus all around him.
- If she warned Ace what her father expected of him he'd laugh in her face.
- If some one had told her what was going to happen she would have laughed in their face.
- Instead, have fun with our great £25,000 series of slump-busting contests and laugh in the face of Lamont.
- Ryan laughed in my face, which is what I expected.
- The next time you hear a native-born athlete complain about adversity, remember Livan Hernandez and laugh in his face.
- This is the last in our great £25,000 series of slump-busting contests to help you laugh in the face of Lamont.
- When I was four, I told my sister about the Creation, and she laughed in my face.
- When the whole cake fell off the table, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
- "Could you finish this by tomorrow?" "Don't make me laugh."
- Dole and his staff know that age discrimination is no laughing matter.
- But Dole and his staff know the age issue is no laughing matter.
- But it is no laughing matter.
- But the issue of physicians and their handwriting is no laughing matter.
- I am a gout sufferer, and it's no laughing matter.
- It is no laughing matter, however.
- The second Fleet Street sensation was no laughing matter.
- They looked as though they knew already that life was no laughing matter.
- This Jell-O-head business is no laughing matter.
- It wasn't a barrel of laughs, but I learned a lot.
- At that point I burst out laughing.
- Charles didn't respond and after a frozen pause, she collapsed into a chair and burst out crying.
- He did it so cleverly that you would think it was the real thing - until he burst out laughing.
- I came down the steps of the Ashbery that morning and burst out laughing at the heat.
- I said and burst out crying.
- Julie, surprised, burst out laughing.
- The whole group bursts out laughing.
- The woman and children burst out laughing again, getting up from the table and crowding round me.
- Rebecca told me this joke on the phone today, and I almost died laughing.
- I just died laughing because it was sick too.
- He forces a smile, and Beulah smiles back.
- I forced a smile and then turned and fled to my room.
- I forced a smile on seeing him.
- The girls forced smiles as they had been taught, but Sandi, in revenge, also crossed her eyes.
- The man turned out to be Alan Stewart, the comedian, who managed to force a smile as Roy apologised.
- Any minute I expected the poor little madman to go flying in the night, dead.
- Bodies not strapped in by seat belts go flying.
- But shouldn't you try and find out some more about him before you go rushing off?
- It tripped on a book and almost went flying, but it just succeeded in remaining upright.
- So why had she gone rushing north from Lima to see this half-brother of hers?
- Spit went flying, seen by millions.
- The doll and blanket went flying, bounced off the far end of the block, and fell into the make-believe river.
- The next member of the team took his place at the stumps only to see both bails go flying.
- Let's go watch Brent play volleyball. That'll be good for a laugh.
- Might be good for a laugh.
- She almost knew her performance was good for a laugh, sometimes a kiss.
- Suddenly, he came inside crying hard.
- By this time Irene was emitting a steady gurgle of contentment, when she wasn't laughing her head off.
- If Hancock himself had been around, he would have doubtless squirmed as the audience laughed their heads off.
- Joey stood in the door laughing his head off and Noreen peered over his shoulder, her hands over her mouth.
- Louise: Ursula would have laughed her head off.
- Old Warleigh would laugh his head off if I put reasons like that to him.
- Then he tips her down and she's screaming her head off.
- Tony races past, laughing his head off.
- You were screaming your head off.
- He felt very cold, and he had pissed himself.
- No older girl has ever pissed herself on account of Laverne before.
- We both pissed ourselves laughing afterwards, wondering what all the fuss was about.
- Well, I laughed myself silly.
WORD FAMILYnounlaughlaughteradverblaughablylaughinglyadjectivelaughableverblaugh
1[intransitive] to make sounds with your voice, usually while you are smiling, because you think something is funny: Maria looked at him and laughed.laugh at/about ‘I didn’t know what I was doing,’ she said, laughing at the memory. Tony was laughing so hard he had to steady himself on the table. Nora laughed so much that she nearly cried.laugh heartily/uproariously/hysterically etc (=laugh a lot) The kids tumbled around on the floor, laughing hysterically. He couldn’t help it; he burst out laughing (=suddenly started laughing).laugh your head off He’s one of the few writers who can make me laugh out loud.2[transitive] to say something in a voice that shows you are amused: ‘You look ridiculous!’ Nick laughed.3not know whether to laugh or cry to feel upset or annoyed about something bad that has happened, but also able to see that there is something funny about it: And when I couldn’t find the passports – honestly, I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry!4don’t make me laugh spoken used when someone has just told you something that is completely untrue, asked for something impossible etc: ‘Can you finish this by tomorrow?’ ‘Don’t make me laugh.’5no laughing matter informal something serious that should not be joked about: It’s no laughing matter having to walk by a group of rowdy drunks every night just to get home.6be laughed out of court (also be laughed out of town/business etc American English) if a person or idea is laughed out of court etc, the idea is not accepted because people think it is completely stupid: We can’t propose that! We’d be laughed out of court!7you have to laugh spoken used to say that, even though a situation is annoying or disappointing, you can also see that there is something funny about it8be laughing all the way to the bank informal to make a lot of money without making much effort9somebody will be laughing on the other side of their face spoken used to say that although someone is happy or confident now, they will be in trouble later10be laughing British English spoken informal to be happy or in a good situation, for example because something has had a successful result for you: Well they paid me, didn’t they, so I’m laughing.11laugh in somebody’s face to behave towards someone in a way that shows that you do not respect them: I told my sister what I thought, and she just laughed in my face.12laugh up your sleeve to be secretly happy, especially because you have played a trick on someone or criticized them without them knowingCOLLOCATIONSverbsburst out laughing (=suddenly start laughing)· She looked at him and burst out laughing.make somebody laugh· I like Ron, he makes me laugh.begin/start to laugh· He suddenly began to laugh.want to laugh (=to feel like laughing, even though it might be more polite not to)· He was so earnest that I wanted to laugh.try not to laugh (=to not laugh, even though something is funny, because it would not be polite)· ‘Are you all right?’ Amy said, trying not to laugh.fall about laughing British English (=laugh a lot)· He saw the look on my face and he just fell about laughing.adverbslaugh hysterically (=laugh so much that you cannot stop, because you find something extremely funny)· The people at the next table were laughing hysterically at us.laugh heartily especially written (=laugh a lot)· Misha laughed heartily throughout the play.laugh out loud/aloud (=laugh so that other people can hear you)· Some parts of the book were so funny that they made me laugh out loud.phraseslaugh your head off (=laugh a lot)· The audience laughed its head off all the way through.laugh till you cry/laugh till the tears run down your face· He leaned back in his chair and laughed till the tears ran down his face.THESAURUSlaugh to make sounds with your voice and move your face, because you think that something is funny: · He looked so funny that we couldn’t stop laughing.giggle to laugh quickly in a high voice, especially in a slightly silly way, or because you are nervous or embarrassed: · A group of teenage girls were giggling in a corner.· She tends to giggle when she meets new people.chuckle to laugh quietly, especially because you are thinking about or reading something funny: · He was chuckling to himself over an article in the paper.· ‘We used to get up to all kinds of mischief.’ She chuckled at the memory.snigger British English, snicker American English to laugh quietly in an unkind or unpleasant way, for example when someone is hurt or embarrassed: · Billy stood up and started to sing, and one or two people sniggered.titter to laugh quietly in a high voice, especially about something that is rude or about sex, or is embarrassing for someone: · As a nation we love to titter over politicians’ sex scandals.· schoolboys tittering over a magazineroar with laughter to laugh very loudly, especially with a deep voice: · I could hear my father roaring with laughter at something on TV.shriek with laughter to laugh very loudly, especially with a high voice: · Patsy chased him down the stairs, shrieking with laughter.howl with laughter to laugh very loudly – used especially about a group of people laughing together: · His plays have made audiences howl with laughter.in stitches laughing so much that you cannot stop: · It was such a funny film – it had us all in stitches.guffaw /ɡəˈfɔː $ -ˈfɒː/ to laugh very loudly and without trying to stop yourself: · The audience guffawed at his nonstop jokes.cackle to laugh loudly in an unpleasant way: · The old woman cackled at the trouble she was causing.laugh at somebody/something phrasal verb1to make unkind or funny remarks about someone, because they have done or said something you think is stupid SYN tease: I’m afraid the other kids will laugh at me because I don’t understand.2to seem not to care about something that most people would worry about: Young offenders just laugh at this sort of sentence.laugh something ↔ off phrasal verb to pretend that something is less serious than it really is by laughing or joking about it: Knox laughed off rumors that he would be running for mayor.laugh1 verblaugh2 noun
laughlaugh2 ●●● S3 noun EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- "She says she'll be here early to help." "That's a laugh."
- She gave a little nervous laugh and glanced towards Robyn.
Longman Language Activatorto laugh because something is funny
to laugh because something is funny or because you are enjoying yourself: · I laughed all the way through the film.· I thought Dad would be angry, but he just laughed.laugh about: · I couldn't understand what they were all laughing about.laugh at: · No-one laughed at his jokes.burst out laughing (=suddenly laugh loudly): · We just looked at each other and burst out laughing.
the sound you make when you laugh: · We could hear laughter coming from the next room.roar with laughter (=laugh very loudly): · The show was a great success, and had the audience roaring with laughter.burst/gurgle/snort etc of laughter: · There was a burst of laughter when he appeared.· Thelma gave a gurgle of laughter.
especially British if people have a laugh about something, they all laugh about it together: have a laugh about/at: · When I realised my mistake, we had a laugh about it.have a good laugh: · It was a bit scary at the time, but afterwards we all had a good laugh.
to laugh quietly, especially because you are thinking about something funny: · "Do you remember when Michelle fell in the river?" Morgan chuckled.chuckle at/about: · "We used to get up to all kinds of mischief." She chuckled at the memory.chuckle to yourself: · Simon sat reading a magazine, chuckling to himself.
to laugh quietly and repeatedly like a child because of something funny or because you are nervous or embarrassed: · She giggled nervously and went bright pink.giggle at/over: · Linda and Christina were giggling at some private joke.
to laugh quietly in a high voice, because you are nervous, embarrassed, or slightly amused: · As the teacher read the poem someone tittered.
to laugh in a cruel or nasty way to laugh or make unkind jokes about someone, because you think they are stupid or silly: · The other children laughed at Lisa because her clothes were old-fashioned.· At first I was terrified of being laughed at.
British /snicker American to laugh quietly at something that is not supposed to be funny, for example when someone is hurt or embarrassed: · Ruth tripped and fell as she walked up the steps. The boys behind her sniggered.· As he walked across the stage, Billy could hear people snickering and whispering.
to make someone or something seem stupid by laughing at them, or by saying things that make other people laugh at them: · Stop making fun of me!· The other girls used to make fun of the way she spoke.
if a group of people jeer at someone in a public place, they laugh unkindly at that person and shout rude things at them: · The boys jeered as she ran away.· He was booed and jeered by the spectators when he argued with the umpire.jeer at: · After the match the crowd were all jeering at him.
to laugh loudly to laugh very loudly because you think something is very funny: · Patsy chased him down the stairs, shrieking with laughter.roar/howl/shriek etc with laughter at: · Dad was roaring with laughter at something on TV and didn't hear me come in.· They howled with laughter at their own jokes.
to suddenly laugh loudly because you think a situation, someone's words, something you are reading etc is very funny: · John threw back his head and laughed out loud.· Wodehouse is one of the few writers who can make me laugh out loud.
to laugh loudly and unpleasantly in a high voice, like someone who is mad: · When I said this, he started cackling like a madman.· "Oh we've got him now!" I cackled, dancing round the room.
a very loud laugh : · With a roar of laughter, he lifted her off her feet and swung her round.· Everyone burst into peals of laughter.
to laugh a lot or for a long time to be unable to stop yourself from laughing: · Jonathan kept making funny faces at me and I just couldn't stop laughing.· It's so embarrassing when everyone else is being serious and you can't stop laughing.
to laugh so much that you cannot control yourself and could not stop laughing if you wanted to: · They both leant against the wall, laughing helplessly.· She was laughing hysterically at the thought of Mr Taylor stepping out of his caravan with no clothes on.
also have/get a fit of the giggles British informal to be unable to stop yourself laughing, especially in a situation when you should not laugh: · It's very difficult to be angry with somebody when you've got the giggles.· I got a dreadful fit of the giggles - I couldn't help myself!
informal to laugh a lot and very loudly because of what someone says or does: · When I told him what had happened, he laughed his head off.· I can't believe we were so stupid. Our competitors must be laughing their heads off.
to laugh a lot continuously and uncontrollably because someone says or does something extremely funny or stupid: · Everybody who heard this had hysterics.
British to laugh a lot in a very happy and cheerful way, especially because something has happened that you did not expect: · When we heard the news, we just fell about!fall about laughing: · When they saw what their father had done, they both fell about laughing.
informal if you say I nearly or almost died , you mean that something made you laugh so much that you almost couldn't stop laughing: · Did you see the look on his face? I nearly died.nearly/almost die laughing: · He said this very solemnly, and they nearly died laughing.
written a lot of laughter: · Jack put the phone down, and the children collapsed in gales of laughter.· There was a brief stunned silence, and then the entire family went into fits of laughter.
to make someone laugh · Rachel used to make us all laugh by imitating the teacher.· Thanks for your letter. It really made me laugh.
informal to be very funny and to make people laugh a lot: · Mr Bean really cracks me up. He's so funny.
to succeed in making people laugh, especially when they do not really feel like laughing: · None of my carefully-prepared jokes managed to raise a laugh.
also have somebody in fits British to make someone laugh uncontrollably: · Roger had us in hysterics with his account of his disastrous trip to Italy.· The cast included Paul Shane, whose quick wit had the audience in stitches.
if something amuses someone, it makes them laugh or smile because it is fairly funny: · Something in the report had obviously amused him.it amuses somebody to see/think something: · It amuses me to see politicians so eager to please at election time.
to stop yourself laughing if you try to keep a straight face , you try not to laugh or smile, because it would be rude to laugh, or you do not want someone to know you are joking: · When reading some of the competition entries, it was hard to keep a straight face.· "I think I've lost that camera you lent me," I said, trying to keep a straight face.with a straight face: · With a completely straight face, Thomas announced he was joining the Girl Guides.
someone who people enjoy being with if someone is good company , people enjoy spending time with them: · Harry was such good company - always joking and full of fun.
spoken use this about people who are always cheerful, interesting, and amusing: · Let's invite Margot - she's always fun.be good/great funBritish be a lot of fun: · I like Sam a lot - he's good fun.be fun to be with: · The O'Brien boys were always fun to be with.a fun person/guy/girl: · Oh yes, I know Eddie - he's a really fun guy.
British informal to be amusing and cheerful when you are with other people: · I'm glad Sylvia's coming too - she's a good laugh.
experiences and activities that you enjoy an enjoyable activity, especially something you do with other people, is pleasant and interesting: · We spent an enjoyable evening playing cards.· I try to make my lessons more enjoyable by using games.
especially spoken if something is fun , you enjoy it because it is very interesting and exciting: · The course was really hard work but it was fun.have fun (=enjoy yourself with other people): · On Saturday night, all I want to do is relax and have some fun.it is fun to do something/it is fun doing something: · It's fun to eat out sometimes, instead of cooking at home.· It'll be fun seeing all my old friends again.good/great fun (=very enjoyable): · Have you ever been windsurfing? It's really good fun.somebody's idea of fun (=what someone enjoys doing, although other people might not): · Running around a freezing hockey field isn't my idea of fun.half the fun (of it) (=almost as enjoyable as the experience itself): · Planning a vacation is half the fun of it.
formal giving you a lot of pleasure, enjoyment and satisfaction: · The pleasurable effects of any drug quickly wear off.· Once you are reasonably fit, you will find the exercise satisfying and pleasurable.
an experience or activity that makes you feel happy and satisfied: · One of her greatest pleasures was walking in the mountains.the simple pleasures (of life): · Ted enjoyed the simple pleasures of life: his family, his home, and his garden.be a pleasure to look at/watch/read etc: · A really good game of basketball is a pleasure to watch.
formal an event or activity that is a delight is extremely enjoyable, especially when you did not expect it to be: · Sarah found that work was a delight compared to motherhood.· The story's really funny and the illustrations are a delight.be a delight to hear/look at/ see etc: · Anna's piano playing is a delight to listen to.
American informal to be very enjoyable and exciting: · The party was a blast. We didn't stop dancing till three in the morning.
British informal to be enjoyable and amusing: · We went skating on Saturday. I kept falling over, but it was a good laugh.
when you do something for enjoyment if you do something for fun , you do it because you enjoy it and not for any other reason: · I only really started the shop for fun, but it's been a huge success.just for fun: · When we started our band we played music in restaurants just for fun.
British in order to enjoy yourself and to make people laugh: · I only entered the contest for a laugh, so I couldn't believe it when I won!· In the end Kelly admitted that she'd invented the story for a laugh.
British spoken if something is just a bit of fun , it is done as a joke or for enjoyment, especially when other people do not approve: · The two boys told the court that they stole the car - "just for a bit of fun".· Don't get upset Mum - it was only a bit of fun.
informal if you do something for the hell of it , you do it only because you enjoy it and for no other reason, especially something bad: · We used to go out every Saturday night and get drunk, just for the hell of it.· A lot of rich kids are turning to crime just for the hell of it.
informal for enjoyment - use this when someone does something that you strongly disapprove of, for example hurting another person, for enjoyment: · Detectives say that the murderer is a "lunatic who kills for kicks".· Some kids steal from shops just for kicks.
when something or someone makes you laugh something or someone that is funny makes you laugh: · It was the funniest story I'd ever heard.· He can be pretty funny when he's had a few drinks.· The goat was chasing Mark round and round the field - it was so funny.look funny: · You look really funny in that hat.hilariously/hysterically funny: · Did you like 'Notting Hill'? I thought it was hilariously funny.
to make someone laugh, for example by telling a joke or doing something funny: · I must tell Jerry what you said - it'll make him laugh.· Charlie Chaplin was a great actor with a wonderful ability to make people laugh.· It always makes me laugh when you look at me like that.
especially written funny and entertaining enough to make you smile: · I like a newspaper with one or two amusing articles, as well as all the serious stuff.· He was a really special person, gentle and amusing at the same time.find something/somebody amusing: · Mrs Denton didn't find it amusing when I spilt all the paint on the floor. highly amusing: · My mother was embarrassed, but I found the situation highly amusing.
intended to be amusing - use this especially about stories, descriptions, songs, and other things that people write: · The book is a humorous account of a young man's travels in South America.· It was a brilliant speech - clear, precise and humorous.· humorous birthday cards
using words in a clever and amusing way: · Sam is intelligent, witty, and great fun to be with.· I enjoyed the play - it had a clever plot and a very witty script.
extremely funny - use this about situations, jokes, and stories, but not about people: · Our attempts at dancing were hilarious - we all kept tripping over each other.· the hilarious BBC comedy series 'Absolutely Fabulous'
especially written funny in a strange or unexpected way, although not always intended to be: · Carlo looked so comical, striding along in a coat which nearly touched the ground.· The puffin is an unusual sea bird, and there is something almost comical about the way it moves and looks.· Lizzie, bouncing along on the donkey, made a comical sight.
funny in a gentle way, and often about a subject that is usually serious: · We always try to keep our newsletter light-hearted, so that people will enjoy it.· The light-hearted way in which the author has approached this book should take some of the hard work out of trying to lose weight.take a light-hearted look at something: · The film takes a light-hearted look at life in prison.
informal if a person or activity is a laugh , they are amusing and give you a lot of fun: · There were about 100 people there and it was a laugh from beginning to end .a real laugh spoken: · Wait until you meet Tony. He's a real laugh.be a laugh a minute (=be very amusing ): · We all had to sleep in one tent and it was a laugh a minute.
informal if a person, situation, performance, film etc is a hoot , they are very funny and enjoyable: · The movie has a script that is smartly funny, and Hugh Grant is a hoot!· At the end of the day, there was the moms' soccer match, which was a hoot!
something that you do to make people laugh · We didn't mean to frighten you. It was only a joke.· Inside the parcel there was an empty bottle. "Is this some kind of joke?'' he asked.take a joke (=accept a joke that is against you) · I can take a joke as well as anyone, but this isn't funny, it's embarrassing.
a trick, especially one that is carefully planned that is intended to confuse and surprise someone and to make other people laugh at them: · The phone call was the sort of practical joke that radio stations often play on celebrities.play a practical joke: · Police believe the circles in the crops are made by someone playing an elaborate practical joke.
a silly action that is intended as a harmless joke - use this especially when something serious happens as a result of it: · The fire was started as a prank.· Pushing her in the river seemed like a harmless prank, but it ended in tragedy.pull/play a prank (on somebody): · Every year, the older kids pull pranks on new students.
to surprise or deceive someone with a trick so that you and other people can laugh at them: · He didn't seem the type of boy to play jokes.play a trick/joke on: · When she didn't come, I thought she was playing a trick on me.
also for a joke British if you do something as a joke or for a joke , you do it because you think it will have amusing results or make people laugh: · You shouldn't spread rumours like that, even as a joke.· Once, for a joke, they changed round all the numbers on the doors.
British informal if you do something for a laugh , you do it for fun or to make people laugh: · Just for a laugh we hung all the pictures upside down.· Kevin set off the fire alarm for a laugh.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYverbs The pain made him cry aloud. She could have laughed aloud. Life is not exactly a barrel of laughs at the moment. It was so funny everyone just fell about laughing. She gave a little frown. Joel gave me a smile as I walked in. He gave her a big hug. His voice was harsh and menacing. Within minutes he had the whole audience laughing and clapping. Hugh laughed heartily at the joke. The programme has made the U.S. a laughing stock. ‘Through here,’ he managed to say, almost out of breath. ‘I thought so,’ she said with a sarcastic smile.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
· She gave a loud laugh.
(also draw a laugh British English written) (=be laughed at)· Most of his jokes didn’t even get a laugh.
(=make someone laugh)· I always managed to get a laugh out of my audience.
(=laugh about something)· The farmer had a good laugh at our attempts to catch the horse.
(=I want to hear something funny to cheer me up)· Tell me what she said - I could use a laugh.
ADJECTIVES/NOUN + laugh· We all got a good laugh out of it later.
· There was a big laugh from the crowd.
· He let out a nervous little laugh.
· He let out a loud laugh when he heard what had happened.
(=a deep loud laugh)· It’s the kind of comedy that raises a smile rather than a belly laugh.
(=a loud laugh that shows you really enjoyed something)· With a hearty laugh, he began to tell the story.
· ‘Don’t be silly,’ she said with a nervous laugh.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES The pain made him cry aloud. She could have laughed aloud.· He has the ability to make an audience laugh.
Life is not exactly a barrel of laughs at the moment.· ‘That’s a brilliant idea’! she said, laughing with delight.
· Lucy gave an embarrassed smile and looked down at her feet.
It was so funny everyone just fell about laughing. She gave a little frown. Joel gave me a smile as I walked in. He gave her a big hug. His voice was harsh and menacing. Within minutes he had the whole audience laughing and clapping. Hugh laughed heartily at the joke.· A few people laughed at his jokes, but some didn’t find them funny.
The programme has made the U.S. a laughing stock. ‘Through here,’ he managed to say, almost out of breath. (=be something serious and important, though it might seem funny)· A doctor’s bad handwriting is no laughing matter, because it can lead to errors.
· ‘It doesn’t matter,’ she said, with a nervous smile.
‘I thought so,’ she said with a sarcastic smile.· It got the biggest laugh of the night, so we decided to keep it in.
· She shook her head as a short, unexpectedly bitter laugh bubbled up from her chest.· Everyone was laughing; it was a bitter, unpleasant laugh which the Collector recognized as the sound of despair.· A bitter laugh rose up like bile in her throat.
· She watched his rugged composure, heard his deep, distinctive laugh and felt anger swelling inside.· She had a deep, rich laugh that showed all her teeth.· He practised a deep evil laugh, sounded real spooky and sinister.
· Johnson got a good laugh out of it.· We all had a good laugh about that.· And perhaps a good laugh was the best contribution after all.· I had a good laugh about it and eventually she saw the funny side.· There's always a reason to have a good laugh.· It's always a good laugh watching him getting increasingly irritated with the interviewer after a humiliating defeat.· The Mahatma had a good laugh.
· And, if I prefer House to Garden, it is because it both touches deeper chords and garners even greater laughs.· The greatest laugh they enjoyed was pretending Patsy was a little girl.· It's bursting with great laughs and good gags.· It's a great laugh for Dickie but Beefy's in agony.
· If they laughed, then, a moment later, he contributed a loud, hard, unnatural-sounding laugh.
· My flesh crept as he unleashed a hearty laugh and motioned me towards the chair.· He has a hearty laugh that takes a long time to end once it begins.
· The proper response was a light laugh and a phrase that turned the advice aside.
· I give a little laugh and Peter looks over at me and hits it again, harder this time.· She even mentioned it to Mel with a vicious little laugh that afternoon, and he felt sorry for the girl.· Lee said, breathing a little laugh through his nose.
· It was a loud laugh which Sandison would have found embarrassing if there had been lots of people in the bar.· Occasionally a shout or a loud laugh broke the gloom.· A loud, evil laugh rang out through the silent night.
· Rather, his low laugh held a note that sent unexpected shivers down her spine.· As the mourners left, Lydia heard a low laugh and sat up on her rug, thinking suspiciously of her ears.· The boy sat up suddenly and laughed a strange, low laugh.· He laughs a low laugh of relief.
· The humour was heavy-handed and, in response to Simon Franks' nervous laugh, Blanche smiled politely.· A nervous laugh, because she was beginning to feel uneasy.· She was a shy, quiet woman in her mid-twenties with a tinkling nervous laugh.· The silence that followed was finally broken by a nervous laugh from one of the men-at-arms.
· Lindsey gave a shaky laugh as he moved closer.
· The Woman unclenched her fists, gave a short laugh and sat down again.· When she finished he gave a short laugh and bowed his head.
· Ben, following a few paces behind, gave a small laugh, but it was unrelated to his father's comment.· Ana gave a small, gurgling laugh and Maggie leaned forward and kissed her cheek.
NOUN· They want to make screwball romantic comedies but they wind up producing sitcoms that look lost without a laugh track.· Television producers exploit this by using laugh tracks dubbed into the soundtracks of comedies.· We want to make the first feature film with a laugh track.
VERB· I get a laugh out of it.· Johnson got a good laugh out of it.· When you win, you get the last laugh.· It got the biggest laugh of the night, so we decided to keep it in.· Of course, this also means Dunston, played by an adorable and talented ape named Sam, gets all the laughs.· Once getting laughs was all that mattered.· You go on and get your laugh now.
· Kelly sat in the jockeys' stand at Sandown and gave a quiet laugh.· He gave out a thin laugh.· Let's hope your redundancy cheques gave you the last laugh.· As soon as she saw this, she gave a delighted laugh, and pushed me out of the gate.
· He heard her mocking laugh as, arm in arm with her sister, she strode off down the corridor.· She heard Miranda gasp a little laugh and did not wish to see why.· I just heard this fabulous laugh, like a whole octave, top to bottom.· The lights came on, and they heard a man's laugh.· As the mourners left, Lydia heard a low laugh and sat up on her rug, thinking suspiciously of her ears.
· My job is to raise laughs and cancer is hardly conducive.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► be a laugh a minute► that’s a laughPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► be a bundle of laughs/fun► hollow laugh/voice etc
- Boy did he have the last laugh.
- Holding a rolling pin and determined to have the last laugh.
- Yet women drivers have the last laugh.
- Across the room, a table of young men in fitted shirts is laughing heartily and splashing out wine.
- Dennis is laughing, head held back.
- Her head is thrown back, and she is laughing.
- I can't understand what is said, but one of the technicians is laughing.
- I notice Harding is collapsed beside McMurphy and is laughs ing too.
- The banter between us is a laugh.
- What you want to do is laugh, but everyone is afraid to laugh.
- We took the helicopter ride just for laughs.
- Williams plays the part for laughs.
- A game played for laughs rather than high scores has always been encouraged.
- But it wasn't like I'd imagined - except for the long silences when I'd been hoping for laughs.
- He considered her good but unremarkable clothes, and wondered what she did for laughs.
- In fiction, especially fiction that plays for laughs, the line between character and caricature can be dangerously thin.
- Instead, Seinfeld played them for laughs.
- Just for laughs I had arranged to meet my husband in a department store.
- To Stokes' credit, he had the wonderful sense to play it for laughs.
- It wasn't a barrel of laughs, but I learned a lot.
- At that point I burst out laughing.
- Charles didn't respond and after a frozen pause, she collapsed into a chair and burst out crying.
- He did it so cleverly that you would think it was the real thing - until he burst out laughing.
- I came down the steps of the Ashbery that morning and burst out laughing at the heat.
- I said and burst out crying.
- Julie, surprised, burst out laughing.
- The whole group bursts out laughing.
- The woman and children burst out laughing again, getting up from the table and crowding round me.
- Rebecca told me this joke on the phone today, and I almost died laughing.
- I just died laughing because it was sick too.
- He forces a smile, and Beulah smiles back.
- I forced a smile and then turned and fled to my room.
- I forced a smile on seeing him.
- The girls forced smiles as they had been taught, but Sandi, in revenge, also crossed her eyes.
- The man turned out to be Alan Stewart, the comedian, who managed to force a smile as Roy apologised.
- Any minute I expected the poor little madman to go flying in the night, dead.
- Bodies not strapped in by seat belts go flying.
- But shouldn't you try and find out some more about him before you go rushing off?
- It tripped on a book and almost went flying, but it just succeeded in remaining upright.
- So why had she gone rushing north from Lima to see this half-brother of hers?
- Spit went flying, seen by millions.
- The doll and blanket went flying, bounced off the far end of the block, and fell into the make-believe river.
- The next member of the team took his place at the stumps only to see both bails go flying.
- Let's go watch Brent play volleyball. That'll be good for a laugh.
- Might be good for a laugh.
- She almost knew her performance was good for a laugh, sometimes a kiss.
- Suddenly, he came inside crying hard.
- By this time Irene was emitting a steady gurgle of contentment, when she wasn't laughing her head off.
- If Hancock himself had been around, he would have doubtless squirmed as the audience laughed their heads off.
- Joey stood in the door laughing his head off and Noreen peered over his shoulder, her hands over her mouth.
- Louise: Ursula would have laughed her head off.
- Old Warleigh would laugh his head off if I put reasons like that to him.
- Then he tips her down and she's screaming her head off.
- Tony races past, laughing his head off.
- You were screaming your head off.
- He felt very cold, and he had pissed himself.
- No older girl has ever pissed herself on account of Laverne before.
- We both pissed ourselves laughing afterwards, wondering what all the fuss was about.
- Well, I laughed myself silly.
WORD FAMILYnounlaughlaughteradverblaughablylaughinglyadjectivelaughableverblaugh
1[countable] the act of laughing or the sound you make when you laugh: He gave a short laugh.with a laugh ‘What a mess!’ she said, with a laugh.2[countable] if something is a laugh, you have fun and enjoy yourself when you are doing it: We all went to the beach last night – it was a really good laugh. The other campers were nice, and we had a great laugh together. It was a great holiday with lots of laughs.3somebody is a (good) laugh British English used to say that someone is amusing and fun to be with: I like Peter – he’s a good laugh.4for laughs (also for a laugh British English) for fun: We took the hot-air balloon ride, just for laughs.5that’s a laugh spoken used to say that something is silly or unlikely: Me? Star in a film? That’s a laugh.6have the last laugh to finally be successful, win an argument etc, after other people have earlier criticized you, defeated you etc: Men make jokes about women drivers, but women have the last laugh – their insurance rates are cheaper.7be a laugh a minute informal to be very funny – sometimes used humorously to mean that someone or something is not at all funnyCOLLOCATIONSverbsgive/let out a laugh· She gave a loud laugh.get a laugh (also draw a laugh British English written) (=be laughed at)· Most of his jokes didn’t even get a laugh.get a laugh out of somebody (=make someone laugh)· I always managed to get a laugh out of my audience.have a laugh about/at/over something (=laugh about something)· The farmer had a good laugh at our attempts to catch the horse.I could use a laugh (=I want to hear something funny to cheer me up)· Tell me what she said - I could use a laugh.ADJECTIVES/NOUN + laugha good laugh· We all got a good laugh out of it later.a big laugh· There was a big laugh from the crowd.a short/little/small laugh· He let out a nervous little laugh.a loud/soft laugh· He let out a loud laugh when he heard what had happened.a belly laugh (=a deep loud laugh)· It’s the kind of comedy that raises a smile rather than a belly laugh.a hearty laugh (=a loud laugh that shows you really enjoyed something)· With a hearty laugh, he began to tell the story.a nervous laugh· ‘Don’t be silly,’ she said with a nervous laugh.