laughing

English

Etymology

From Middle English lawghynge; equivalent to laugh +‎ -ing.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈlɑːfɪŋ/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ɑːfɪŋ

Noun

laughing (countable and uncountable, 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 academy
• laughing dove
• laughing falcon
• laughing gas
• laughing gear
• laughing goose
• laughing gull
• laughing hyena
• laughing jackass
• laughing owl
• laughingstock