ENGLISH
REFERENCE

laughing

v.
A1 Beginner US //ˈɫæfɪŋ// UK //lˈɑːfɪŋ// laugh·ing

v. making sounds and movements with your face because you think something is funny. It is what you do when you hear a good joke.

v. expressing mirth, joy, or derision through spontaneous, rhythmic vocal sounds and facial movements. Often used with the preposition 'at' to indicate the target of the amusement.


SIMPLE

The children are laughing at the funny movie.

CONTEXTUAL

Everyone started laughing when the comedian told a story about his clumsy cat.

COMPLEX

While some were laughing at the absurdity of the situation, others remained silent, unable to find any humor in such a blatant display of incompetence.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

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

Usage

Intransitive verb; requires the preposition 'at' when followed by an object.

Pitfall

They are laughing of meThey are laughing at meThe verb 'laugh' takes the preposition 'at' to indicate the object of amusement, not 'of'.

Idioms3 entries

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