laughter
Sound of joy
Laughter is the sound humans make when amused—a series of short, rhythmic vocalizations typically accompanied by smiling.
It ranges from quiet chuckles to uncontrollable fits: The room erupted in laughter.
Laughter can also signal nervousness or discomfort rather than amusement.
Laughter is the best medicine suggests its therapeutic value.
Work meant to amuse
- humorAmusing quality
- funnyProvoking laughter or suspicion
- jokesHumorous remarks or stories
- witClever, inventive humor
entertainment · banter · satire · parody · sketch · sitcom · stand-up · punchline
Joyful emotional state
- delightIntense pleasure or satisfaction
- gleeExuberant, often impish delight
- elationIntense triumphant joy
- exuberanceLively, unrestrained enthusiasm
cheerfulness · jubilation · merriment · euphoria · bliss · rapture · contentment · pleasure
Short, silly laughs
- chucklesSoft, subdued laughter
- snortsLoud nasal exhales
- guffawsLoud, coarse laughs
- cacklesHarsh, shrieking laughs
howling · fits · hysterics · uncontrollable · contagious · wheeze · tears · side-splitting
Curative mental treatment
- endorphinsBody's innate pain blockers
- stress-reliefReduction of mental tension
- wellnessOverall state of health
- resilienceCapacity to recover quickly
medicine · connection · bonding · oxytocin · immune boost · pain relief · social bonding · therapeutic
Stretched or strained state
- releaseTo let go
- catharsisPurification through emotional expression
- nervousnessState of anxious unease
- stressPressure, mental or vocal
unburdening · easing · respite · exhale · breakthrough · awkwardness · defusing · coping
Scornful ridicule or travesty
- ridiculeContemptuous mocking treatment
- scornHostile dismissive feeling
- contemptDisdainful disregard
- sneeringExpressing scorn facially
jeering · taunting · scoffing · disdain · snickering · belittlement · sarcasm · cruel
Provoking involuntary laughter
- teasingPlayful, mild ridicule
- pranksPlayful mischievous acts
- anticsAbsurd, attention-seeking behavior
- goofinessPlayful, harmless foolishness
clowning · tomfoolery · horseplay · roughhousing · joking around · slapstick · mugging · buffoonery
comedy
Work meant to amuse
wit · entertainment · banter · satire · parody · sketch · sitcom · stand-up · punchline · timing
happiness
Joyful emotional state
- delightIntense pleasure or satisfaction
- gleeExuberant, often impish delight
- elationIntense triumphant joy
exuberance · cheerfulness · jubilation · merriment · euphoria · bliss · rapture · contentment · pleasure · enjoyment
giggles
Short, silly laughs
cackles · howling · fits · hysterics · uncontrollable · contagious · wheeze · tears · side-splitting · rolling
therapy
Curative mental treatment
- endorphinsBody's innate pain blockers
- stress-reliefReduction of mental tension
- wellnessOverall state of health
resilience · medicine · connection · bonding · oxytocin · immune boost · pain relief · social bonding · therapeutic · group therapy
tension
Stretched or strained state
- releaseTo let go
- catharsisPurification through emotional expression
- nervousnessState of anxious unease
stress · unburdening · easing · respite · exhale · breakthrough · awkwardness · defusing · coping · survival
mockery
Scornful ridicule or travesty
sneering · jeering · taunting · scoffing · disdain · snickering · belittlement · sarcasm · cruel · pointed
tickling
Provoking involuntary laughter
goofiness · clowning · tomfoolery · horseplay · roughhousing · joking around · slapstick · mugging · buffoonery · jesting
- nervous laughterGiggles from discomfort
- canned laughterPrerecorded audience amusement
- evil laughterMalevolent mocking mirth
- laughter is the best medicineAmusement aids recovery
- laughter linesFacial wrinkles from smiling
- uncontrollable laughter