Word Study
laugh
CIDE DICTIONARY
laugh, v. i. [OE. laughen, laghen, lauhen, AS. hlehhan, hlihhan, hlyhhan, hliehhan; akin to OS. hlahan, D. & G. lachen, OHG. hlahhan, lahhan, lahh, Icel. hlæja,W Dan. lee, Sw. le, Goth. hlahjan; perh. of imitative origin.].
- 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. [1913 Webster]"Queen Hecuba laughed that her eyes ran o'er." [1913 Webster]"He laugheth that winneth." [1913 Webster]
- Fig.: To be or appear gay, cheerful, pleasant, mirthful, lively, or brilliant; to sparkle; to sport. [1913 Webster]"Then laughs the childish year, with flowerets crowned." [1913 Webster]"In Folly's cup still laughs the bubble Joy." [1913 Webster]"No wit to flatter left of all his store,
No fool to laugh at, which he valued more."
laugh, v. t.
- To affect or influence by means of laughter or ridicule. [1913 Webster]"Will you laugh me asleep, for I am very heavy?" [1913 Webster]"I shall laugh myself to death." [1913 Webster]
- To express by, or utter with, laughter; -- with out. [1913 Webster]"From his deep chest laughs out a loud applause." [1913 Webster]
laugh, n.
An expression of mirth peculiar to the human species; the sound heard in laughing; laughter. See Laugh, v. i. [1913 Webster]
"And the loud laugh that spoke the vacant mind." [1913 Webster]
"That man is a bad man who has not within him the power of a hearty laugh." [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
laugh, v. & n.
--v.
1 intr. make the spontaneous sounds and movements usual in expressing lively amusement, scorn, derision, etc.
2 tr. express by laughing.
3 tr. bring (a person) into a certain state by laughing (laughed them into agreeing).
4 intr. (foll. by at) ridicule, make fun of (laughed at us for going).
5 intr. (be laughing) colloq. be in a fortunate or successful position.
6 intr. esp. poet. make sounds reminiscent of laughing.
--n.
1 the sound or act or manner of laughing.
2 colloq. a comical or ridiculous thing.
--v.
1 intr. make the spontaneous sounds and movements usual in expressing lively amusement, scorn, derision, etc.
2 tr. express by laughing.
3 tr. bring (a person) into a certain state by laughing (laughed them into agreeing).
4 intr. (foll. by at) ridicule, make fun of (laughed at us for going).
5 intr. (be laughing) colloq. be in a fortunate or successful position.
6 intr. esp. poet. make sounds reminiscent of laughing.
--n.
1 the sound or act or manner of laughing.
2 colloq. a comical or ridiculous thing.
Idiom
have the last laugh be ultimately the winner. laugh in a person's face show open scorn for a person. laugh off get rid of (embarrassment or humiliation) with a jest. laugh on the other side of one's face change from enjoyment or amusement to displeasure, shame, apprehension, etc. laugh out of court deprive of a hearing by ridicule. laugh up one's sleeve be secretly or inwardly amused.
Derivative
laugher n.
Etymology
OE hl{aelig}hhan, hliehhan f. Gmc
THESAURUS
laugh
Homeric laughter, be in heaven, be in stitches, be pleased, beam, belittle, belly laugh, blue story, boff, boffola, break up, brush aside, burst into laughter, burst of laughter, burst out, burst out laughing, burst with laughter, bust a gut, cachinnate, cachinnation, cackle, caper, caracole, chirp, chirrup, chortle, chuckle, convulsion, crack up, crow, dance, delight, deny, deride, die with delight, dirty joke, dirty story, dismiss, disregard, double entendre, ethnic joke, feel happy, fit of laughter, frolic, fun, funny story, gag, gales of laughter, gambol, giggle, glow, go into convulsions, go into hysterics, go into raptures, good one, good story, grin, guffaw, ha-ha, hearty laugh, hee-haw, hee-hee, hilarity, ho-ho, hoot, horselaugh, howler, ignore, jape, jeer at, jest, jestbook, joke, joy, lampoon, laugh at, laugh it up, laugh outright, laughing, laughter, lilt, minimize, nearly die laughing, outburst of laughter, panic, parody, pasquil, pasquinade, peal of laughter, play, point, poke fun at, pooh-pooh, purr, radiate cheer, reject, rib tickler, ridicule, riot, risibility, roar, roar of laughter, roar with laughter, roast, romp, satirize, scoff at, scorn, scream, shake like jelly, shake with laughter, shout, shout of laughter, shriek, shrug off, sick joke, sidesplitter, sight gag, simper, sing, skip, smile, smirk, snicker, snigger, sniggle, snort, sparkle, split, split with laughter, sport, spurn, story, take great satisfaction, taunt, tease, tee-hee, titter, tread on air, visual joke, wheeze, whistle, whoop, wide berth, wow, yarn, yuck, yuk-yukROGET THESAURUS
laugh
Rejoicing
VB rejoice, thank one's stars, bless one's stars, congratulate oneself, hug oneself, rub one's hands, clap one's hands, smack the lips, fling up one's cap, dance, skip, sing, carol, chirrup, chirp, hurrah, cry for joy, jump for joy, leap with joy, exult, triumph, hold jubilee, make merry, laugh, raise laughter.Amusement
VB amuse, entertain, divert, enliven, tickle the fancy, titillate, raise a smile, put in good humor, cause laughter, create laughter, occasion laughter, raise laughter, excite laughter, produce laughter, convulse with laughter, set the table in a roar, be the death of one, recreate, solace, cheer, rejoice, please, interest, treat, regale, amuse oneself, game, play a game, play pranks, play tricks, sport, disport, toy, wanton, revel, junket, feast, carouse, banquet, make merry, drown care, drive dull care away, frolic, gambol, frisk, romp, caper, dance, keep up the ball, run a rig, sow one's wild oats, have one's fling, take one's pleasure, paint the town red, see life, desipere in loco, play the fool, make holiday, keep holiday, go a Maying, while away the time, beguile the time, kill time, dally, smile, simper, smirk, grin, grin like a Cheshire cat, mock, laugh in one's sleeve, laugh, laugh outright, giggle, titter, snigger, crow, snicker, chuckle, cackle, burst out, burst into a fit of laughter, shout, split, roar, shake one's sides, split one's sides, hold both one's sides, roar with laughter, die with laughter.For further exploring for "laugh" in Webster Dictionary Online
