laughs - Master This Word
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laughs Word Meanings
- to express joy with a sound
- to find something funny
- to make a sound of amusement
laughs Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
laughs Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/lɑːf/
US
/læf/
laughs Word Etymology
Old English 'hlæhhan' (to laugh) + Proto-Germanic *hlēhhaną. The sound represents joy and amusement, like a bubbling brook. Imagine a group of friends laughing around a campfire, their joy echoing through the night.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
I tilt my head, take a quick breath, and move my lips into a small laugh. When a joke lands, the corners of my mouth push up and a warm rush pulls the air out as a sound. I adjust my posture, letting the sound pop out and fill the space. That little moment stays with me, and I keep it ready for the next funny thing.
Real Context
laugh is a verb that covers several ideas: to express joy with a sound, to find something funny, or to emit a sound of amusement. In daily English you laugh in response to jokes, stories, or surprising situations, and you can laugh with others or at something a group finds funny. Common collocations include laugh out loud, laugh at, laugh together, and have a good laugh. Note that laugh is often more intense than a smile, and its pronunciation is tricky for learners because the letters are not pronounced as they look. Real-world examples show how a laugh signals shared amusement or relief.
Usage Reminders
- Remember: laugh is more than smiling; use laugh with the right preposition (laugh at, laugh with); avoid assuming every joke requires loud laughter; pronounce the -gh as a sound; use laugh out loud for emphasis; treat chuckles as casual, not formal.
Common Misconceptions
- Laugh and smile are the same; they differ in intensity and sound.
- Laugh at means you are mocking someone, not just finding something funny.
- All jokes require loud laughter; many jokes are enjoyed with a quiet laugh or chuckle.
- Laugh is only used for funny situations, not relief or embarrassment.
- Pronunciation is straightforward; the letters in laugh are not pronounced as they look.
Thinking Differences
Explain to an English speaker (meta, keep short)
Learning Tips
- Learn 6 common collocations (laugh out loud, laugh at, laugh with, have a good laugh, burst out laughing, laugh along)
- Practice pronunciation: focus on the l + a + f sound sequence
- Distinguish laugh from smile by context and intensity
- Use native audio sources to hear natural laughter in different situations
- Record yourself to compare with native speakers
- Learn when to use laugh vs other reactions like chuckle or grin
Related Listening
🌱 Lite (Beginner)
🔥 Advanced
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