artificial laugh

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "artificial laugh" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a laugh that is not genuine, often imitating laughter for social purposes or in a performance context. Example: "Her artificial laugh made it clear that she was not truly amused by the joke."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

He also accused "certain stars" of "fake laughter": "These are all artificial laughs.

The Guardian

You may think it is easy to tell the difference between involuntary and more artificial laughs, but Scott thinks the skill develops slowly across the lifespan and may not peak until our late 30s.

BBC

Sitting in the foxholes?" (Eventually, in the name of compromise, the network agreed to not play artificial laughs during scenes in the operating room).

Huffington Post

Other talk hosts flatter their visitors with artificial guffaws; Carson laughs only when he is amused.

The New Yorker

The whole artificial production causes us to laugh a little too easily and say things that make us look like we have limited social skills and low IQs.

Huffington Post

She laughed, in an artificial way; she couldn't stop herself.

The New Yorker

On the basis of this openly artificial stimulus, more than 90percentt smiled, and nearly half laughed.

The New York Times - Magazine

The relevance of this latter kind of 'poetry' is that it's gloriously artificial; it should charm and be witty and make people laugh!

Huffington Post

The press presents an artificial story, and if you open a Russian newspaper you just have to laugh".

The New Yorker

Unlike the "comedy of artificial life, of wit, of satire," Shakespeare's more gentle comedy "makes us laugh at the follies of mankind, not despise them.

Wikipedia

It's so artificial.' George: 'When we see trailers for these American movies, we start to laugh.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use descriptive language to enhance the impact. Instead of just saying someone gave an "artificial laugh", describe the qualities of the laugh that make it seem fake (e.g., "a high-pitched, strained artificial laugh").

Common error

Avoid using "artificial laugh" too frequently in dialogue tags. Instead of repeatedly stating that someone is laughing artificially, show it through their actions, tone, or the context of the conversation. This creates a more immersive experience for the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "artificial laugh" primarily functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "artificial" modifies the noun "laugh". It describes the quality or characteristic of the laugh. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in various contexts, from describing social interactions to analyzing performances.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "artificial laugh" describes laughter that lacks genuineness, used either deliberately or unconsciously to navigate social situations. Ludwig confirms it is grammatically correct and understood, though not frequently used. Related phrases such as "fake laugh" or "forced laugh" offer similar connotations. When using this phrase in writing, consider the context and aim to demonstrate the artificiality through subtle cues rather than simply stating it. This ensures a more impactful and immersive reading experience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fake laugh

Replaces "artificial" with "fake", emphasizing the lack of authenticity.

forced laugh

Highlights the effort involved in producing the laugh, suggesting it's not spontaneous.

insincere laugh

Directly states the lack of sincerity in the laughter.

hollow laugh

Conveys a sense of emptiness or lack of genuine emotion behind the laugh.

contrived laugh

Suggests the laugh is deliberately planned or manufactured, not natural.

put-on laugh

Indicates the laugh is a pretense or act.

affected laugh

Implies the laugh is adopted to impress or deceive others.

phony laugh

Similar to "fake laugh", further emphasizing deceit.

mechanical laugh

Suggests the laugh sounds automated or lacking human feeling.

empty laugh

Highlights the absence of genuine emotion associated with the laugh.

FAQs

What does "artificial laugh" mean?

An "artificial laugh" refers to a laugh that is not genuine or spontaneous, often used to be polite or to deceive. It lacks real amusement and can sound forced or unnatural.

What are some synonyms for "artificial laugh"?

Alternatives include "fake laugh", "forced laugh", or "insincere laugh", all conveying a lack of genuine amusement.

How can I identify an "artificial laugh"?

An "artificial laugh" often sounds strained, forced, or out of place in the conversation. It may lack the natural rhythm and intonation of a genuine laugh, and the person may not display other signs of amusement, such as smiling with their eyes.

Is it always negative to use an "artificial laugh"?

While often associated with insincerity, an "artificial laugh" can sometimes be used politely in social situations where genuine amusement is absent. However, overuse may be perceived negatively.