a guffaw

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a guffaw" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a loud and hearty laugh, often in response to something humorous. Example: "When the comedian told the joke, the audience erupted in a guffaw that echoed throughout the theater."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

And the laugh became a guffaw.

The Guardian - Music

Then he burst into a guffaw.

The New York Times

"Oh please, are you crazy?" he said with a guffaw.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr. Kim made those remarks "with a guffaw," the news agency said.

The New York Times

"God and I will decide that," he said with a guffaw.

The New York Times

"The trick is to pedal faster than the others," he said with a guffaw.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

The best example is "Car Talk," whose irreverent hosts can turn a complaint about a clogged fuel injector into a guffaw-rich riff on the car owner's love life.

The New York Times

One thing I really enjoyed, though, was watching it with a guffawing, interjecting, gesticulating African audience.

The Guardian - Film

A recent photograph in a Russian news-sheet that emerged this week showed a guffawing Navalny meeting Boris Berezovsky, the self-exiled tycoon who lives in London and serves as the arch-villain in Kremlin propaganda.

The Guardian

At times, reading the book, you may delightedly feel like you are sitting at a wooden table in an old Irish pub with Carr, the hour is late as he regales you with another epic tale, a quiet truth, an awesome anecdote or a guffaw-sputtering story.

Forbes

Up until now, she has displayed remarkable imperturbability — gliding along with the help of good lighting, a hearty guffaw and a clever husband.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a guffaw" to vividly depict a loud, unrestrained laugh, especially when emphasizing amusement or ridicule in a narrative or descriptive context. Reserve it for situations where the laughter is particularly pronounced and noticeable.

Common error

Avoid using "a guffaw" interchangeably with milder forms of laughter like "chuckle" or "giggle". "A guffaw" signifies a boisterous, hearty laugh, so use it judiciously to maintain the intended tone and avoid exaggerating the reaction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a guffaw" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object in a sentence. It vividly describes a specific type of laughter that is loud and unrestrained, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a guffaw" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that describes a loud, hearty laugh. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like "a hearty laugh" or "a burst of laughter" exist, "a guffaw" specifically conveys a sense of boisterous amusement or even ridicule. When using this phrase, consider the context to ensure the intended tone is accurately portrayed, avoiding confusion with milder forms of laughter. Its frequent appearance in authoritative sources underscores its acceptability and effectiveness in descriptive writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a hearty laugh

Replaces "guffaw" with a more general term for a loud and joyful laugh.

a loud laugh

Focuses on the volume of the laughter, similar to a guffaw.

a burst of laughter

Highlights the suddenness and intensity of the laughter.

a roar of laughter

Emphasizes the boisterous and resonant quality of the laughter.

a peal of laughter

Suggests a ringing, echoing quality to the laugh.

a belly laugh

Indicates deep, unrestrained laughter that involves the whole body.

an outburst of laughter

Highlights the sudden and uncontrolled nature of the laughter.

a gale of laughter

Implies a powerful and overwhelming wave of laughter.

a fit of laughter

Suggests a bout of uncontrollable laughing.

a chuckle

Describes a quiet suppressed laugh. A guffaw is the opposite of a chuckle.

FAQs

How can I use "a guffaw" in a sentence?

"A guffaw" is typically used to describe a loud, hearty laugh. For example, "The comedian's joke was met with "a guffaw" from the audience."

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "a guffaw"?

You can use alternatives such as "a hearty laugh", "a loud laugh", or "a burst of laughter" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a guffaw" or should I use another article?

The phrase "a guffaw" is grammatically correct. "Guffaw" is a countable noun, and in this context, it's appropriate to use the indefinite article "a" to indicate a single instance of a loud laugh.

What's the difference between "a chuckle" and "a guffaw"?

While both describe laughter, "a chuckle" is a quiet, suppressed laugh, often indicating amusement or quiet enjoyment. "A guffaw", on the other hand, is a loud, unrestrained laugh, typically expressing strong amusement or ridicule.