laughter
noun
laugh·ter ˈlaf-tər 
ˈläf-
1
: a sound of or as if of laughing
2
archaic : a cause of merriment
Synonyms
- belly laugh
- boff
- boffo
- boffola
- cachinnation
- cackle
- chortle
- chuckle
- giggle
- guffaw
- hee-haw
- horselaugh
- laugh
- snicker
- snigger
- titter
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The audience roared with laughter. the nervous producers were reassured by the sounds of laughter coming from the theater
Recent Examples on the Web An involuntary snort of laughter escaped me just as the illicit gay union at the heart of My Policeman hit its most torrid peak. 
David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Sep. 2022 There’s lots of high energy with some tears and lots of laughter. Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2022 In 2011, all the nominees for the Best Comedy Actress took the stage as their names were called, taking the audience by surprise and prompting quite a bit of laughter. Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 5 Sep. 2022 Enjoy a night of laughter when Ivan Martin headlines the 6th Annual Baltimore Comedy Festival at the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, 1212 Cathedral Street. John Coffren, Baltimore Sun, 1 Sep. 2022 Then, at a forum hosted by the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce, the candidates shared moments of laughter, took a selfie, and complimented each other. Iris Samuels, Anchorage Daily News, 30 Aug. 2022 During its five season run, the TV program gave audiences across the country a weekly dose of laughter, and plenty of hilarious moments to discuss with friends and family in the days that followed. Okla Jones, Essence, 27 Aug. 2022 People will certainly be rolling on the floor in completely impulsive fits of laughter. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 26 Aug. 2022 Those are very different kinds of laughter, one destabilizing and disconcerting, the other an affirmation of our species’ collective folly. Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 18 Aug. 2022 See More
David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Sep. 2022 There’s lots of high energy with some tears and lots of laughter. Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2022 In 2011, all the nominees for the Best Comedy Actress took the stage as their names were called, taking the audience by surprise and prompting quite a bit of laughter. Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 5 Sep. 2022 Enjoy a night of laughter when Ivan Martin headlines the 6th Annual Baltimore Comedy Festival at the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, 1212 Cathedral Street. John Coffren, Baltimore Sun, 1 Sep. 2022 Then, at a forum hosted by the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce, the candidates shared moments of laughter, took a selfie, and complimented each other. Iris Samuels, Anchorage Daily News, 30 Aug. 2022 During its five season run, the TV program gave audiences across the country a weekly dose of laughter, and plenty of hilarious moments to discuss with friends and family in the days that followed. Okla Jones, Essence, 27 Aug. 2022 People will certainly be rolling on the floor in completely impulsive fits of laughter. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 26 Aug. 2022 Those are very different kinds of laughter, one destabilizing and disconcerting, the other an affirmation of our species’ collective folly. Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 18 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Old English hleahtor; akin to Old English hliehhan
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing laughter
Kids Definition
laughter
noun
laugh·ter ˈlaf-tər
ˈläf-
: the action or sound of laughing
laughters
noun
as in chuckles
an explosive sound that is a sign of amusement the nervous producers were reassured by the sounds of laughter coming from the theater Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- chuckles
- giggles
- laughs
- snickers
- smiles
- guffaws
- sniggers
- cackles
- chortles
- grins
- titters
- smirks
- belly laughs
- horselaughs
- twitters
- cachinnations
- boffos
- hee-haws
- crows
- boffs
- whoops
- boffolas
- simpers
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- sobs
- cries
- groans
- moans
- wails
- mouths
- faces
- grimaces
- frowns
- lowers
- scowls
- lours
- pouts