noun
laughter
LAF-ter/ˈlæftər/
The sound or act of laughing.
Laughter fills the kitchen as my father tells another joke.
Etymology
Old English hleahtor covered both joyful laughter and derisive laughter. The inherited word names an expression that can convey delight or mockery, rather than amusement alone.
More examples
- Her laughter makes everyone else smile.
- The room erupts in laughter when the puppy sneezes.
- He struggles to hold back his laughter during the meeting.
Forms
laugh verb — Make sounds that express amusement.