a generous laugh

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a generous laugh" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a laugh that is hearty, warm, and full of good spirit, often indicating joy or amusement. Example: "Her generous laugh filled the room, making everyone feel at ease."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The crowd gives a generous laugh.

The Guardian

A generous laugh.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

He laughed a great, generous laugh.

The New Yorker

I turned to Haroon; he laughed his generous laugh.

The New Yorker

She will be remembered for her tremendous warmth, snazzy style, generous laugh and pasty chili.

The New York Times

Garner's generous laugh comes easily, and he's considerate and friendly, but his transparently acute intelligence and intensity of manner can be unnerving.

Independent

"Why?" "Tata!" "Why what?" "Why you are not rich?" Macalister gave another generous laugh, but before he could answer, Mother walked in carrying the main dish: a roasted leg of lamb and a crowd of potato halves drowning in fat.

The New Yorker

He has always been an amazing storyteller, but he also makes you want to make him laugh because he is the most generous laugher you'll ever meet".

The Guardian - Books

And in person, during an interview in the mezzanine bar of the Paramount Hotel near Times Square, she came across as warm, matter-of-fact and seemingly without vanity, her conversation punctuated by big, generous laughs.

The New York Times

In the tradition of many great romances, the two men take almost an instant dislike to each other, an antagonism that literalizes the Western divide between the mind (Spock) and body (Kirk) that gives the story emotional and dramatic force as well as some generous laughs.

The New York Times

Then our group of round-hipped women, with generous laughs, loose pants, long shirts and big breasts, cracked up.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a generous laugh" to characterize laughter that is not only loud or frequent but also conveys warmth, kindness, or a positive spirit. For example, describe someone's reaction to a joke or story with "a generous laugh" to enhance the emotional tone of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a generous laugh" when describing laughter that is sarcastic, mocking, or otherwise negative in tone. The adjective 'generous' implies a positive and benevolent quality that would be inappropriate in such contexts. Instead, opt for descriptors like 'a hollow laugh' or 'a cynical laugh' to better convey the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a generous laugh" functions as a descriptive noun phrase, modifying the noun 'laugh' with the adjective 'generous'. This indicates a laugh that is characterized by warmth, kindness, or abundance. Ludwig's analysis indicates this is a grammatically correct construction.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a generous laugh" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, although it is relatively rare. Ludwig's analysis of real-world examples demonstrates its primary function is to describe laughter characterized by warmth, kindness, or abundance, typically found in neutral contexts such as news and media. While alternatives such as "hearty laugh" or "warm laugh" exist, "a generous laugh" specifically emphasizes the benevolent quality of the laughter. It is important to use this phrase judiciously, ensuring it fits the emotional tone of the context and avoids misuse in situations where the laughter is sarcastic or negative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hearty laugh

Replaces "generous" with "hearty", emphasizing the vigor and enthusiasm of the laugh.

warm laugh

Substitutes "generous" with "warm", focusing on the inviting and pleasant nature of the laughter.

big laugh

Uses "big" instead of "generous" to highlight the loudness and expansiveness of the laugh.

full-bodied laugh

Emphasizes the richness and completeness of the sound of the laugh.

unrestrained laugh

Focuses on the lack of inhibition or control in the laughter.

benevolent laugh

Highlights the kind and good-natured quality of the laugh.

infectious laugh

Emphasizes the ability of the laugh to spread to others.

wholehearted laugh

Focuses on the sincerity and completeness of the laughter.

boisterous laugh

Replaces "generous" with "boisterous", indicating a loud and cheerful quality.

abundant laugh

Suggests a plentiful and copious quality to the laugh.

FAQs

How can I describe a laugh that is both loud and kind?

You can use the phrase "a generous laugh" to describe laughter that is hearty and conveys warmth and kindness. It suggests that the person is not only laughing audibly but also with genuine good spirit.

What is a good alternative to "a generous laugh"?

Alternatives include "hearty laugh", "warm laugh", or "big laugh" depending on the specific aspect you want to emphasize (enthusiasm, friendliness, or loudness, respectively).

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a generous laugh"?

It's appropriate when the laughter is intended to show appreciation, amusement, or support. It is less suitable for describing sarcastic, mocking, or nervous laughter.

Is there a difference between "a generous laugh" and "a hearty laugh"?

While both phrases describe positive laughter, "a generous laugh" implies an added element of kindness or warmth, while "a hearty laugh" simply emphasizes the vigor and enthusiasm of the laughter.