Laugh
v.joyful, energeticeveryday
What it means
To voice or show spontaneous amusement and pleasure.
Reach for it when describing a natural response to humor, delight, or shared play
Even the stern referee began to laugh at the mascot's improvised dance.
Choose between these
7- playful
crack up
informal speech suits uncontrollable laughter
not when Crack up belongs in conversation, not a formal narrative.
- playful
the laughter is light, repeated, or slightly nervous
not when Giggle can sound childish when describing dignified adult amusement.
- playful
roar
a group reacts with very loud laughter
not when Roar exaggerates a small private moment.
- everyday
the pleasure is visible but silent
not when A grin does not convey the sound or release of laughing.
- warm
happiness shows brightly in the face
not when Beam fits pride or welcome better than a response to a joke.
- warm
the amusement is quiet and contained
not when A chuckle is too restrained for loud, open enjoyment.
- literary
the response comes from good news rather than comedy
not when Rejoicing names celebration, not amusement.
Said against
3- cry
- frown
- remain solemn
It naturally appears in
3- laugh aloud
The clever final line made the entire class laugh aloud.
- laugh together
Old rivals could still laugh together over the childhood photograph.
- laugh easily
People laugh easily around a host who never makes anyone the target.
The word family
1Where this comes from
- merriam-webster, verb sense 1a opens in a new tab · retrieved 2026-07-26
The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.