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HOW TO PRONOUNCE

laugh

/læf/

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American Pronunciation Guide · 0:47
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What does laugh mean?

noun

  1. An expression of mirth particular to the human species; the sound heard in laughing; laughter.
  2. Something that provokes mirth or scorn.
  3. A fun person.
More meanings (5)

verb

  1. 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.
  2. To make an object of laughter or ridicule; to make fun of; to deride; to mock.
  3. To affect or influence by means of laughter or ridicule.
  4. To express by, or utter with, laughter.
  5. (figuratively, obsolete) To be or appear cheerful, pleasant, mirthful, lively, or brilliant; to sparkle; to sport.

Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0

IPA pronunciation

/læf/

Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0

Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.

In the pages of books

See this word in context.

He was one of your wary men, who never laugh but upon good grounds--when they have reason and law on their side.
Washington IrvingThe Legend of Sleepy HollowProject Gutenberg ebook #41
He was recalled by a hoarse laugh and a sentence that came to his ears in a voice of contempt and amazement.
Stephen CraneThe Red Badge of Courage: An Episode of the American Civil WarProject Gutenberg ebook #73
More book examples (3)
Alexander took her two hands from his shoulders and swung them back and forth in his own, laughing his big blond laugh.
Willa CatherAlexander's BridgeProject Gutenberg ebook #94
I laugh to see your ladyship so fond To think that you have aught but Talbot’s shadow Whereon to practice your severity.
William ShakespeareThe Complete Works of William ShakespeareProject Gutenberg ebook #100
This won Seymour the easy laugh, and Lapham silently wondered that the fellow never got off any of those things to him.
William Dean HowellsThe Rise of Silas LaphamProject Gutenberg ebook #154