laughing

[ laf-ing, lah-fing ]
/ ˈlæf ɪŋ, ˈlɑ fɪŋ /

adjective

that laughs or is given to laughter: a laughing child.
uttering sounds like human laughter, as some birds.
suggesting laughter by brightness, color, sound, etc.: a laughing stream; laughing flowers.
laughable: The increase in crime is no laughing matter.

noun

Origin of laughing

Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; see origin at laugh, -ing1, -ing2

OTHER WORDS FROM laughing

laugh·ing·ly, adverb un·laugh·ing, adjective

Definition for laughing (2 of 2)

Origin of laugh

before 900; Middle English laughen, Old English hlæh(h)an (Anglian); cognate with Dutch, German lachen, Old Norse hlǣja, Gothic hlahjan

SYNONYMS FOR laugh

6 Laugh, chuckle, grin, smile refer to methods of expressing mirth, appreciation of humor, etc. A laugh may be a sudden, voiceless exhalation, but is usually an audible sound, either soft or loud: a hearty laugh. Chuckle suggests a barely audible series of sounds expressing private amusement or satisfaction: a delighted chuckle. A smile is a (usually pleasant) lighting up of the face and an upward curving of the corners of the lips (which may or may not be open); it may express amusement or mere recognition, friendliness, etc.: a courteous smile. A grin, in which the teeth are usually visible, is like an exaggerated smile, less controlled in expressing the feelings: a friendly grin.

OTHER WORDS FROM laugh

out·laugh, verb (used with object)

Example sentences from the Web for laughing

British Dictionary definitions for laughing

laugh
/ (lɑːf) /

verb

noun

Derived forms of laugh

laugher, noun laughing, noun, adjective laughingly, adverb

Word Origin for laugh

Old English læhan, hliehhen; related to Gothic hlahjan, Dutch lachen

Idioms and Phrases with laughing

laugh