Hollow laugh

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Hollow laugh" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a laugh that lacks genuine emotion or sincerity, often indicating sadness or emptiness behind the laughter. Example: "She let out a hollow laugh, masking her true feelings of despair."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

Hollow laugh ensues.' " Wit was not the only surprise up her sleeve.

The New York Times - Books

Murphy allows a hollow laugh.

The Guardian - Film

He gave a hollow laugh.

The Guardian

She laughs a hollow laugh.

The Guardian - Music

"Oh, American!" He laughed a hollow laugh.

The New Yorker

He lets out a hollow laugh.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

Cue hollow laughs.

The Guardian

If anyone had written four years ago that the tainted fruit of this inquiry would be a "recognised regulator" funded almost entirely by Max Mosley, hollow laughs would have turned to guffaws.

The Guardian

And there are hollow laughs to be had at the image of a broken house, roof ripped away to reveal a couple of large, healthy cannabis plants sprouting like buddleia through the wreckage.

The Guardian - Opinion

So we have a hollow, laugh-enhanced comedy in which the biggest draw is Tori Spelling proving she will do anything to remain on television.

Los Angeles Times

Let's wag our fingers while we howl our hollow laughs: Mitt Romney is the focus group's love child, the marketer's political pin-up, the self-proclaimed experienced "leader" who displays mere salesmanship.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hollow laugh" to depict a character's attempt to mask feelings of sadness, disappointment, or cynicism with a semblance of amusement. This is particularly effective in narrative writing to convey complex emotional states.

Common error

Avoid using "hollow laugh" as a shorthand for portraying villains or unsympathetic characters. Over-reliance on this trope can lead to flat, unconvincing portrayals. Instead, explore more nuanced ways of expressing negativity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hollow laugh" functions as a descriptive term, modifying the noun "laugh" to indicate its quality. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It's used to depict a specific type of laughter lacking genuine emotion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hollow laugh" effectively captures a sense of insincerity, sadness, or emptiness underlying the act of laughing. Ludwig AI validates the grammatical correctness and widespread usage of this phrase, with a high frequency across news and media sources. It functions as a descriptive term to depict a specific type of laughter, revealing a character's internal state. Alternatives like "empty laugh" or "forced laugh" offer similar connotations. Using "hollow laugh" effectively enhances narrative depth, but avoid overusing it to create simplistic characterizations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Empty laugh

Focuses on the lack of substance or genuine emotion behind the laughter.

Forced laugh

Highlights the artificial and strained nature of the laughter.

Insincere laugh

Directly points out the lack of sincerity in the laughter.

Bitter laugh

Emphasizes the underlying resentment or unhappiness behind the laughter.

Artificial laugh

Highlights the unnatural and contrived nature of the laughter.

Mocking laugh

Suggests the laughter is intended to ridicule or scorn.

Cynical laugh

Indicates the laughter is driven by skepticism and distrust.

Humorless laugh

Focuses on the absence of genuine amusement in the laughter.

A mirthless chuckle

Indicates the chuckle is devoid of joy or happiness.

A dry chuckle

Conveys a lack of enthusiasm or warmth in the chuckle.

FAQs

What does "hollow laugh" mean?

A "hollow laugh" signifies a laugh that lacks genuine emotion or sincerity, often indicating underlying sadness, bitterness, or emptiness. It suggests the person is laughing without real amusement.

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

You might say, "Despite the bad news, he managed a "hollow laugh", trying to appear unaffected" or "Her "hollow laugh" revealed the deep pain she was trying to hide".

What are some alternatives to "hollow laugh"?

Alternatives include "empty laugh", "forced laugh", "insincere laugh", or "bitter laugh", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What is the difference between a "hollow laugh" and a "hearty laugh"?

A "hollow laugh" is devoid of genuine joy, reflecting sadness or cynicism, while a "hearty laugh" is full of genuine amusement and warmth. The former is often used to mask true feelings, whereas the latter expresses authentic happiness.