Laughter Meaning
Laughter Definition & Usage
The sound or act of laughing, which typically expresses amusement, joy, or happiness.
Examples
- "Her laughter was contagious, filling the room with happiness."
- "They could hear the laughter of children echoing through the playground."
- "He couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of the situation."
- "The comedian's jokes were met with loud laughter from the audience."
- "Her laughter brought a sense of lightness to the tense atmosphere."
A physical act involving the contraction of muscles in the face and sometimes the body, often accompanied by vocal sounds, typically in response to something humorous or joyful.
Examples
- "His laughter was a full-body response, shaking his whole frame."
- "The sound of laughter reverberated across the auditorium, as people held their sides."
- "Laughter can be a healthy response to stress, releasing tension in the body."
- "During the therapy session, the laughter was so loud that it caused a moment of disruption."
- "She could feel the laughter bubbling up inside her, and it was impossible to suppress."
To express amusement or joy through the act of laughing.
Examples
- "He laughed at her joke, even though it wasn’t that funny."
- "She laughed so hard she nearly cried."
- "They laughed in disbelief when they heard the unexpected news."
- "The children laughed as they chased each other around the yard."
- "He laughed at the thought of all the work he had to do that weekend."
Cultural Context
Laughter is an integral part of human behavior across cultures. It is often associated with humor, but also with moments of surprise, joy, or even nervousness. Cultural attitudes toward laughter vary—some cultures place great emphasis on laughter as a social bonding tool, while others may see it as inappropriate in certain contexts (e.g., during solemn occasions). Laughter has also been used in psychological therapies, as it is known to promote relaxation and improve mood.
The Healing Power of Laughter
Story
The Healing Power of Laughter
It was a quiet Saturday morning when Claire found herself sitting in the park, watching the children play. She had been feeling down for days, the weight of work and life pressing heavily on her shoulders. But today, something was different. As she sat there, a group of children nearby burst into peals of laughter as they played a game of tag. Their laughter was so pure, so unburdened, that it made Claire smile despite herself. She hadn’t realized how much she missed the simplicity of joy until that moment. A little girl, no older than six, ran past Claire, still giggling with excitement. Claire couldn’t help but laugh too. It was a soft chuckle at first, but soon, it was a full, hearty laugh that shook her chest. The sound of her own laughter startled her, but it felt so good. It was as though the tension that had built up in her body for weeks had been released with that one laugh. She looked around, realizing that she wasn’t alone. The park was filled with people laughing—children, friends, and families. There was something magical about it, about how laughter could bind people together, even if they were strangers. As she stood up to leave, she passed an elderly man who was sitting alone on a bench, chuckling softly at something in his newspaper. ‘You know,’ he said to her with a twinkle in his eye, ‘laughter is the best medicine.’ Claire smiled, agreeing with him in her heart. Maybe he was right. Maybe laughter, simple and pure, was just what she needed. And as she walked away, she couldn’t help but laugh again—this time, at the thought of how laughter had snuck up on her, lifting her spirits in a way she hadn’t expected.
