LAUGHTER

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does laughter mean? 

• LAUGHTER (noun)
  The noun LAUGHTER has 2 senses:

1. the sound of laughing

2. the activity of laughing; the manifestation of joy or mirth or scorn

  Familiarity information: LAUGHTER used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• LAUGHTER (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The sound of laughing

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

laugh; laughter

Hypernyms ("laughter" is a kind of...):

utterance; vocalization (the use of uttered sounds for auditory communication)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "laughter"):

cachinnation (loud convulsive laughter)

cackle (a loud laugh suggestive of a hen's cackle)

chortle; chuckle (a soft partly suppressed laugh)

giggle (a foolish or nervous laugh)

belly laugh; guffaw (a burst of deep loud hearty laughter)

ha-ha; haw-haw; hee-haw; horselaugh (a loud laugh that sounds like a horse neighing)

snicker; snigger; snort (a disrespectful laugh)

titter (a nervous restrained laugh)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The activity of laughing; the manifestation of joy or mirth or scorn

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Context example:

he enjoyed the laughter of the crowd

Hypernyms ("laughter" is a kind of...):

activity (any specific behavior)

 Context examples 

Mr. Peggotty burst into a great roar of laughter, and Agnes and I both kept him company.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

"It's a useful thing to have in the house in case of fire or thieves," observed Laurie, as a watchman's rattle appeared, amid the laughter of the girls.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

He broke out in mocking laughter, then turned his left ear to the pillow as a sign that he wished no further conversation.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

But it seemed to him there was something metallic in her laughter, and that the light in her eyes was cold.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

It rang on my ears long and heavily; the mountains re-echoed it, and I felt as if all hell surrounded me with mockery and laughter.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

He was quivering with silent laughter.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

On the next occasion, in the midst of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able with a little management to see all that there was behind me.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

And there was laughter, and much talk, at the event.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

But the moment laughter was turned upon him he would fly into a most terrible rage.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

And as to laughter, we will not expose ourselves, if you please, by attempting to laugh without a subject.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)