Laughter
What it means
The sounds and movements people make when amusement breaks through.
Reach for it when naming shared amusement, comic relief, or audible happiness
Laughter traveled down the hallway before the birthday guests appeared.
Words to choose between 7
| playful | |
|---|---|
| everyday | |
| warm |
|
| professional | |
| formal | |
| literary |
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playful
giggles
Fits when the sounds are light, repeated, and informal
Careful Giggles trivializes solemn people who briefly share mature humor.
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everyday
Fits when the broader atmosphere is bright and encouraging
Careful Cheer includes good spirits that need not involve anything funny.
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warm
Fits when pleasure, not comedy, is the emotional center
Careful Delight can be quiet and does not guarantee laughter.
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professional
Fits when humor briefly eases a serious situation
Careful Levity names lightness of tone rather than the sound people make.
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formal
Fits when the inner reaction matters without implying sound
Careful Amusement can remain private and silent.
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literary
Fits when the laughter is widespread and hard to contain
Careful Hilarity overstates a gentle smile around the table.
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literary
Fits when a festive or old-fashioned tone suits collective amusement
Careful Mirth sounds unnatural in most everyday accounts.
Opposites 3
- silence
- sorrow
- solemnity
Common phrases 3
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burst of laughter
A burst of laughter followed the actor's perfectly timed pause.
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warm laughter
Warm laughter eased the new volunteer into the group.
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shared laughter
Shared laughter softened years of friendly rivalry.
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