laughing

English

Etymology

laugh + -ing

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈlɑːfɪŋ/, X-SAMPA: /'lA:fIN/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

  Rhymes: -ɑːfɪŋ

Noun

laughing (plural laughings)

1. The action of the verb to laugh.

Verb

laughing

1. Present participle of laugh.

Usage notes

As with other present participles, laughing can be used as an adjective:

The Laughing Cavalier

laughing hyena

Likewise, as with other gerunds, laughing can be used as a verbal noun:

Laughing could be heard all the way from the back of the room!

Synonyms

• (as a gerund): hilarity, laughter

Derived terms

laughing dove laughing falcon laughing gas laughing goose laughing gull

laughing hyena laughing jackass laughing owl laughingstock