What does cachinnatory mean?
Cachinnatory is an adjective describing laughter that is loud, excessive, and uncontrollable — the sort of convulsive, full-bodied laughter that erupts rather than merely expresses amusement. Derived from the Latin verb cachinnari, meaning to laugh loudly or derisively, the word entered English through learned usage and remains firmly in the realm of literary vocabulary. It appears most often in formal or deliberately elaborate prose, where writers reach for it to convey not just amusement but a kind of helpless, overwhelming mirth — sometimes joyful, sometimes tinged with mockery or hysteria. Because it is uncommon, cachinnatory rewards readers who encounter it: it signals a writer's erudition while vividly evoking a sound everyone recognizes. Related forms include the verb cachinnate and the noun cachinnation, which describe such laughter directly. For anyone seeking a precise, expressive term for uproarious laughter beyond everyday words like raucous or hilarious, cachinnatory offers an unusually specific and memorable option.
adjectiveRelating to or characterized by loud, immoderate, and often convulsive laughter.
- Of or relating to loud, excessive, convulsive laughter.
"The comedian's cachinnatory audience could barely catch its breath between guffaws."
"Her cachinnatory response to his joke filled the entire café."
"The novel's narrator described the crowd's reaction as wild, cachinnatory mirth."
Cachinnatory comes straight from the Latin word for the kind of laughter that leaves you gasping for air.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of cachinnatory
Cachinnatory derives from the Latin adjective cachinnans, present participle of the verb cachinnare, meaning to laugh aloud or immoderately. The Latin root itself may be imitative in origin, echoing the sound of loud laughter. English adopted the word in scholarly contexts alongside its siblings cachinnate and cachinnation, all sharing the same Latin ancestor.
How cachinnatory is actually used
Cachinnatory is rare and literary, used almost exclusively in formal writing or deliberately ornamental prose. It carries no negative connotation by itself, though it often describes laughter so unrestrained it borders on unseemly.
Easily confused with cachinnatory
"Cachet" means prestige or a distinguishing mark of approval, while "cachinnatory" describes loud, uncontrolled laughter — they share only a superficial resemblance at the start of the word.