laughter

noun

laugh·​ter ˈlaf-tər How to pronounce laughter (audio)
ˈläf-
Synonyms of laughternext
1
: a sound of or as if of laughing
2
archaic : a cause of merriment

Synonyms of laughter

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Examples of laughter in a Sentence

The audience roared with laughter. the nervous producers were reassured by the sounds of laughter coming from the theater
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Children’s laughter and music gave way to distant explosions. — ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026 Then came a wave of cheers, gasps and laughter as roughly 2,500 people took their shots nearly in unison. — Eva Remijan-Toba, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026 Faye and Jack Faye Domaille and Jack Bradshaw formed a connection through shared laughter, having a blast together both in and out of the pods. — Emy Lacroix, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026 Roger Lewis, co-founder of the Grammy-award winning group Inner Circle said to cheers from the room and laughter from Mair during a final farewell on Monday at the group’s recording studio in the North Miami area. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for laughter

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of laughter was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing laughter

Rhymes for laughter

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Browse Nearby Words

laughsome
laughter
laughterless
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Cite this Entry

“Laughter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/laughter. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

laughter

noun
laugh·​ter ˈlaf-tər How to pronounce laughter (audio)
ˈlȧf-
: the action or sound of laughing

More from Merriam-Webster on laughter

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about laughter

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