What does laughter mean?
Laughter is the audible expression of amusement, delight, or amusement at a situation. It may describe a particular sound, such as a burst or roar of laughter, or the general act of laughing. In conversation, laughter commonly functions as a social response, showing that something is funny, surprising, or worth sharing. It can also carry less straightforward meanings: nervous laughter may reveal discomfort, while laughter directed at another person can suggest mockery or contempt. Although the word is usually positive and approachable, context determines whether it conveys warmth, embarrassment, derision, or simple shared amusement. Laughter is also a useful subject for writers because it can convey atmosphere and character more vividly than a direct statement that someone was happy or amused. As an uncountable noun, it normally appears without a regular plural form.
nounThe sound or expression of laughing, especially as a reaction to something amusing or amusing in itself. It can also refer to the act or quality of laughing.
- The sound produced by people laughing.
- The act or phenomenon of laughing.
- An expression or indication of amusement, delight, or ridicule.
"Her infectious laughter filled the room."
"There was a burst of laughter when the story reached its unexpected ending."
"She responded with nervous laughter rather than answering the question."
Normally uncountable; it does not have a commonly used regular plural.
"The comedian won the audience over with infectious laughter."
Laughter is one of the few social signals that can spread instantly: a single laugh can change the mood of an entire room.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does laughter come from?
The word comes from the Old English noun hlæhter, meaning laughter, and is associated with the Old English verb hlægan, “to laugh.” Its modern form reflects the regular English development of the Old English vocabulary, with the suffix -er forming a noun from an activity or sound. The root is shared with forms such as laugh and laughable, and cognates with the word appear across several Germanic languages.
Related word forms
How laughter is actually used
Laughter is generally neutral or positive, although it can be used to suggest ridicule, mockery, nervousness, or an attempt to deflect attention. In descriptions of behaviour, it is often treated as an uncountable noun.