bellylaugh

Gut-shaking amusement sound

A bellylaugh is a deep, hearty laugh that seems to come from the gut rather than the throat—the kind that makes your stomach muscles ache.

The term emphasizes physical intensity: The comedian had the whole room in bellylaughs.

As a verb, to bellylaugh is to laugh this way: We bellylaughed until we cried.

sound

guffaw

Boisterous burst of mirth

roarLoud, deep animal cry
howlProlonged mournful cry
cackleHarsh, shrill laugh

snort · wheeze · chortle · bellow · boom · explosion · burst · thunderous · hearty · loud

comedy

hilarious

Extremely amusing

uproariousExtremely and loudly comedic
slapstickExaggerated physical humor
punchlineHumor's final delivery

comedian · stand-up · sitcom · farce · pratfall · clown · joker · wit · timing · absurd

social

contagious

Transmissible between people

sharedHeld in common
bondingForming close connections
camaraderieGoodwill among companions

party · gathering · friends · unison · collective · mirthful · jovial · merriment · celebration · icebreaker

physical

shaking

Rapid involuntary movement

convulsingShaking uncontrollably, involuntarily
tearsViolent pulls apart
gaspingBreathing in sharp gulps

breathless · heaving · rocking · rolling · cramping · wheezing · hiccupping · snorting · red-faced · watery eyes

Opposites

intensity of laughter

bellylaughtitter

Restrained nervous giggle

straight face · snicker · smirk · half-smile · forced laugh

emotional expression

bellylaughsob

Convulsive weeping

wail · weeping · crying · bawling · whimper

Family

belly, laugh, bellies, laughs, laughed, laughing, laughable, laughably, laughter

Familiarity: Top 1,000,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Positive · Everyday, not technical · Rated G