laugh

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   An expression of mirth particular to the human species

   An expression of mirth particular to the human species; the sound heard in laughing; laughter.

   • And the loud laugh that spoke the vacant mind.
   • That man is a bad man who has not within him the power of a hearty laugh.
   • It never fails to get a laugh. Here's to more humor in chess.
2. 2

   Something that provokes mirth or scorn.

   • “And this rug,” he says, stomping on an old rag carpet. “How much do you suppose that cost?” ¶ It was my first guess, so I said fifty dollars. ¶ “That’s a laugh,” he said. “I paid two thousand for that rug.”
   • Life's a piece of shit / When you look at it / Life's a laugh and death's a joke, it's true.
   • Your new hat's an absolute laugh, dude.
3. 3

   A fun person.

   • a good laugh
   • 2010, The Times, March 14, 2010, Tamzin Outhwaite, the unlikely musical star Outhwaite is a good laugh, yes, she knows how to smile: but deep down, she really is strong and stern.
4. ›+ 5 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      To show mirth, satisfaction, or derision, by peculiar movement of the muscles of the…

      To show mirth, satisfaction, or derision, by peculiar movement of the muscles of the face, particularly of the mouth, causing a lighting up of the face and eyes, and usually accompanied by the emission of explosive or chuckling sounds from the chest and throat; to indulge in laughter.

      • There were many laughing children running on the school grounds.
      • But there was ſuch laughing, Queen Hecuba laught that her eyes ran ore.
      • The waves beside them danced, but they / Outdid the sparkling waves in glee:— / A Poet could not but be gay / In such a laughing company: […]
   2. 5

      To be or appear cheerful, pleasant, mirthful, lively, or brilliant

      To be or appear cheerful, pleasant, mirthful, lively, or brilliant; to sparkle; to sport.

      • In Folly’s Cup ſtill laughs the Bubble, Joy; [...]
   3. 6

      To make an object of laughter or ridicule

      To make an object of laughter or ridicule; to make fun of; to deride; to mock.

      • Don't laugh at my new hat, man!
      • No Wit to flatter, left of all his ſtore! / No Fool to laugh at, which he valued more. / There, victor of his health, of fortune, friends, / And fame, this lord of uſeleſs, thouſands ends.
      • There was something about him, Harry, that amused me. He was such a monster. You will laugh at me, I know, but I really went in and paid a whole guinea for the stage-box. To the present day I can't make out why I did so; [...]
   4. 7

      To affect or influence by means of laughter or ridicule.

      • Will you laugh me aſleepe, for I am very heauy.
   5. 8

      To express by, or utter with, laughter.

      • From his deepe cheſt laughes out a lowd applauſe, [...]
      • Fairfax addressed her as "my lady," she laughed her musical laugh, and glanced up at a picture of Gerald with eyes full of exultation.
      • "You refuse to take me seriously," Lute said, when she had laughed her appreciation. "How can I take that Planchette rigmarole seriously?"

The neighborhood

• synonymlaugh
• antonymcryantonym(s) of “show mirth by peculiar movement of the muscles of the face”
• antonymweepantonym(s) of “show mirth by peculiar movement of the muscles of the face”
• neighborlaughster
• neighborlaughter
• neighborcomedy
• neighborgelotology
• neighborfunny
• neighborha ha
• neighbortee hee
• neighbortee hee hee
• neighborbawdy
• neighborfunny ha-ha
• neighborhumorous
• neighborjocularity