Actively expressing amusement through laughter or a visibly merry manner.
Reach for it when describing people, faces, or voices alive with shared amusement
The laughing cousins leaned together as they replayed the harmless mistake.
| playful | |
|---|---|
| everyday | |
| warm |
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| formal | |
| literary |
playful
Fits when light repeated laughter defines the scene
Careful Giggling can make mature subjects sound juvenile.
playful
Fits when excited pleasure has a mischievous edge
Careful Gleeful risks suggesting triumph at somebody else's cost.
everyday
Fits when a generally pleasant mood matters more than audible laughter
Careful Cheerful does not show that someone is laughing at this moment.
everyday
Fits when visible happiness is enough and no sound is involved
Careful Smiling understates a scene filled with laughter.
formal
Fits when a person's hearty sociability is the enduring trait
Careful Jovial describes temperament rather than the immediate act.
literary
Fits when sociable high spirits suit a festive scene
Careful Merry may feel seasonal or old-fashioned in plain description.
laughing child
A laughing child chased bubbles across the courtyard.
laughing face
Her laughing face reassured the nervous performers.
laughing crowd
The laughing crowd welcomed the comedian back for an encore.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Dvortygirl, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Updated
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