laughter

UK: /ˈlɑːftə^r/ US: /ˈlæftɚ/ ,(laf′tər, läf′-)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

laugh•ter /ˈlæftɚ/   n. [uncountable]

1. the action or sound of laughing.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

laugh•ter  (laf′tər, läf′-), n. 

1. the action or sound of laughing.
2. an inner quality, mood, disposition, etc., suggestive of laughter;
   mirthfulness:
   a man of laughter and goodwill.
3. an expression or appearance of merriment or amusement.
4. [Archaic.] an object of laughter;
   subject or matter for amusement.

• bef. 900; Middle English; Old English hleahtor; cognate with Old High German hlahtar, Old Norse hlātr; see laugh

laugh′ter•less, adj. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

laughter / ˈlɑːftə/ noun

1. the action of or noise produced by laughing
2. the experience or manifestation of mirth, amusement, scorn, or joy

Etymology: Old English hleahtor; related to Old Norse hlātr