a dry laugh

USAGE SUMMARY

'a dry laugh' is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to describe a laugh that is forced or slightly uncomfortable. For example, "He tried to laugh off the comment, giving a dry laugh in response."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

He emits a dry laugh.

The Guardian

Slater laughs a dry laugh.

The Guardian - Film

She laughed a dry laugh.

The New Yorker

"Not so little, unfortunately," Joyce said with a dry laugh.

The New Yorker

When I say this, she lets out a dry laugh.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I can't," she says with a dry laugh.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Pereda thought it was a joke and responded with a quick, dry laugh.

The New Yorker

The transporting wonder and confusion of first love never quite come through, so that when she speaks that much-quoted line about parting being "such sweet sorrow," it's as if she were making a dry joke, and it earns a laugh.

The New York Times

And he delights in deadpan humor, which, if one does not show signs at once of appreciating his ironic intent, he underlines with a harsh, dry laugh.

The New Yorker

His eyebrows twitched in a gesture of disbelief, and he emitted a dry, barking laugh.

The New Yorker

"I don't expect to be very kinetic," Stanley Kunitz said, with a dry little laugh.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a dry laugh" to subtly convey a character's skepticism, resignation, or understated amusement in your writing. It adds a layer of nuance to their reaction without being overly expressive.

Common error

Avoid using "a dry laugh" when the context clearly indicates genuine amusement or joy. The phrase implies a lack of enthusiasm or a hint of irony, so ensure it aligns with the character's emotional state and the overall tone of the scene.

Linguistic Context

"A dry laugh" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb (e.g., "He gave a dry laugh") or as part of a prepositional phrase (e.g., "with a dry laugh"). It describes a specific type of laughter characterized by a lack of genuine amusement.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a dry laugh" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a specific type of laughter that lacks genuine amusement, often hinting at skepticism, irony, or resignation. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and provides numerous real-world examples primarily from news and media sources. When using this phrase, it's essential to consider the character's emotional state and the overall tone of your writing to ensure it accurately reflects the intended meaning. Alternatives like "a mirthless chuckle" or "a sardonic laugh" can provide similar shades of meaning. Be mindful of misinterpreting the emotion behind the laugh to avoid using the phrase in contexts where genuine amusement is present.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a mirthless chuckle

Replaces "laugh" with "chuckle" and emphasizes the lack of genuine amusement.

a sardonic laugh

Substitutes "dry" with "sardonic", highlighting a mocking or cynical quality.

a wry chuckle

Uses "wry" instead of "dry" to suggest a blend of irony and amusement.

a forced laugh

Focuses on the artificial or insincere nature of the laugh.

a hollow laugh

Suggests the laugh lacks substance or genuine feeling.

a short laugh

Emphasizes the brevity and lack of enthusiasm in the laugh.

an ironic chuckle

Highlights the ironic nature of the expression, replacing "laugh" with "chuckle".

a stifled laugh

Implies the laugh is being suppressed or held back.

a humorless laugh

Directly states the absence of humor in the laugh.

a brittle laugh

Suggests the laugh is fragile and could easily break.

FAQs

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

You can use "a dry laugh" to describe someone's reaction, implying a lack of genuine amusement or a hint of sarcasm. For instance, "He responded to the absurd suggestion with "a dry laugh"."

What are some alternatives to saying "a dry laugh"?

Depending on the specific nuance you want to convey, alternatives include "a mirthless chuckle", "a sardonic laugh", or "a wry chuckle".

What does it mean when someone gives "a dry laugh"?

When someone gives "a dry laugh", it typically means they are not genuinely amused or find something ironic or perhaps even absurd. It's often a subtle way to express disagreement or skepticism without being overtly confrontational.

Is it ever appropriate to describe laughter as "wet"?

While "dry" describes a restrained or ironic laugh, describing laughter as "wet" is not a common expression and might sound odd. There isn't a direct opposite to "a dry laugh" in common usage. Instead, focus on describing the qualities of genuine laughter using words like "hearty laugh" or "boisterous laugh".