Cold laugh

USAGE SUMMARY

"cold laugh" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a laugh that is devoid of emotion or mirth. For example, "Her cold laugh filled the room as she made her cruel comment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

She gave a brief, cold laugh.

The New Yorker

Nando let out a cold laugh at his buddy.

The New York Times

The next time a government minister rhapsodises about aspiration, allow yourself a long, cold laugh.

The Guardian - Opinion

He had changed so much in five years that now part of him wanted to laugh a hard, cold laugh.

The New Yorker

A little boy who is terrified to be out of his mother's sight, a little boy who then suddenly laughs his cold laugh and runs out into traffic.

The New York Times

A little boy who begs us to make the flashing lights stop, who suddenly becomes afraid of his best friend because she is telling him to do bad things, who laughs a horrible, cold laugh as he says he wants to kill his mom or dad and make his brother dead forever — and sometimes tries his best to follow through.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Having grown up in provincial England only a few years before Mitchell, I read "Black Swan Green" in flashes of heat and cold, laughing one moment (it is a very funny book) and cringing the next (it is excruciatingly honest about adolescence).

The New Yorker

And then he goes, "Wait, do you have a cold?" (Laughs).

Huffington Post

"She called me old and bitter," he said with a cold, snorting laugh.

The New York Times - Magazine

But when I asked my dad the next logical question whether or not Iceland has ever qualified for the World Cup or the Euros – his response was a cold, mirthless laugh.

Vice

Asked how he prepared for playing in the cold, Jeter laughed.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cold laugh" to depict a character's detached or cynical reaction, highlighting a lack of genuine amusement or warmth in their response to a situation.

Common error

Avoid using "cold" as a generic descriptor for negative emotions. While "cold laugh" works, pairing 'cold' with every emotion can sound repetitive. Instead, diversify your vocabulary with more nuanced adjectives like 'bitter', 'hollow', or 'empty' to convey subtle emotional differences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cold laugh" functions as a descriptive noun phrase, where the adjective "cold" modifies the noun "laugh". According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, describing a laugh that lacks emotion or mirth.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cold laugh" is used to describe a laugh that lacks warmth or genuine amusement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase, often found in News & Media contexts. The phrase suggests cynicism, detachment, or a lack of sincere emotion behind the laughter. Alternatives like ""bitter laugh"" or ""hollow laugh"" can provide nuanced variations, emphasizing specific negative connotations. While grammatically sound, it's important to use "cold laugh" thoughtfully, avoiding overuse of 'cold' as a general descriptor for negative emotions to maintain writing clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Icy laugh

Conveys a sense of emotional distance and lack of warmth, similar to "cold laugh".

Humorless laugh

Directly states the absence of humor in the laugh.

Bitter laugh

Implies the laugh is tinged with resentment or disappointment.

Insincere laugh

Directly indicates the laugh is not genuine or truthful.

Hollow laugh

Suggests the laugh is insincere and possibly masking sadness or despair.

Heartless laugh

Suggests a lack of empathy or compassion in the laugh.

Empty laugh

Emphasizes the lack of genuine emotion or feeling behind the laugh.

Cynical laugh

Implies the laugh is motivated by skepticism or distrust.

Forced laugh

Highlights that the laugh is produced deliberately rather than spontaneously.

Artificial laugh

Emphasizes that the laugh is not genuine or natural.

FAQs

How can I use "cold laugh" in a sentence?

You can use "cold laugh" to describe a laugh that lacks warmth or genuine amusement. For example, "Her "cold laugh" echoed in the empty room after she dismissed his concerns."

What are some alternatives to "cold laugh"?

You can use alternatives like "bitter laugh", "hollow laugh", or "empty laugh" depending on the context.

What does a "cold laugh" typically signify?

A "cold laugh" often signifies a lack of genuine emotion, cynicism, or detachment. It can imply that the person is not truly amused or that they are using laughter as a defense mechanism.

Is there a difference between a "cold laugh" and an "icy laugh"?

While similar, an "icy laugh" suggests a more pronounced sense of emotional distance or even hostility, whereas a "cold laugh" might simply indicate a lack of warmth or sincerity.