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Definition of laugh noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

laugh

noun
 
/lɑːf/
 
/læf/
Idioms
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  1. [countable] the sound you make when you think that something is funny or silly
    • to give a laugh
    • a short/nervous/hearty laugh
    • His first joke got the biggest laugh of the night.
    • with a laugh ‘It was pretty crazy,’ she said with a laugh.
    see also belly laugh
    Extra Examples
    • A small laugh escaped her.
    • Few of his jokes got a laugh.
    • She laughed that warm, sexy laugh.
    • He gave a short, amused laugh.
    • She left the room with a cynical laugh.
    • Nick responded with a genuine laugh.
    • Oh yes, very funny—have your laugh at my expense!
    • Paula's always good for a laugh (= always amusing).
    • He laughed a hollow laugh and then fell silent.
    • She forced a bitter laugh.
    • He got a laugh out of Jack.
    • She tried to suppress a laugh, but ended up giggling anyway.
    • That earned a laugh from everyone.
    • The last joke got the biggest laugh.
    • The man laughed a harsh, evil laugh.
    • This movie is too intent upon getting cheap laughs.
    • to give a short/​harsh/​bitter/​nervous laugh
    Topics Feelingsa1
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • loud
    • light
    • little
    verb + laugh
    • give
    • laugh
    • let out
    laugh + verb
    • escape somebody
    • ring out
    preposition
    • for a laugh
    • with a laugh
    • laugh about
    phrases
    • be good for a laugh
    • have the last laugh
    • a laugh at somebody’s expense
    See full entry
  2. a laugh
    [singular] (informal) an occasion or thing that is good fun
    • Come to the karaoke night—it should be a good laugh.
    • And he didn't realize it was you? What a laugh!
    • He enjoys a good laugh.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • good
    • great
    • real
    phrases
    • a barrel of laughs
    • a bit of a laugh
    • a laugh a minute
    See full entry
  3. a laugh
    [singular] a person who is fun to be with
    • Paula's a good laugh, isn't she?
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • good
    • great
    • real
    phrases
    • a barrel of laughs
    • a bit of a laugh
    • a laugh a minute
    See full entry
  4. Word OriginOld English hlæhhan, hliehhan, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch and German lachen, also to laughter.
Idioms
a barrel of laughs
  1. (informal, often ironic) a lot of fun
    • Life hasn't exactly been a barrel of laughs lately.
do something for a laugh/for laughs
  1. to do something for fun or as a joke
    • I just did it for a laugh, but it got out of hand.
    Extra Examples
    • She dyed her hair green just for a laugh.
    • He seemed unsure of whether to play his role seriously or for laughs.
have the last laugh
  1. to be successful when you were not expected to be, making your opponents look stupid
    • We'll have the last laugh if she finds out that you're the one who played the trick.
    Topics Successc2
have a (good) laugh (about/over something)
  1. to find something funny
    • I was angry at the time but we had a good laugh about it afterwards.
    • My family and friends all had a good laugh at my expense.
    Extra Examples
    • We all had a good laugh about it when we got home.
    • I had a good laugh over that one.
See laugh in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary
trait
noun
 
 
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