burst of laughter

USAGE SUMMARY

"burst of laughter" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a moment when someone suddenly laughs loudly and uncontrollably. Example: As soon as the comedian delivered the punchline, the entire audience erupted into a burst of laughter that could be heard throughout the theater.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Literature

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Another burst of laughter.

The New York Times - Arts

Suddenly, there was a burst of laughter.

The New Yorker

A burst of laughter from the crowd.

The Guardian - Travel

There was a burst of laughter.

The New York Times

Every so often, she heard a burst of laughter.

The New Yorker

He gives a short, sharp burst of laughter.

The Guardian

"What outfield?" Alderson replied, spurring a burst of laughter from those gathered around him.

The New York Times - Sports

"Even my friends asked me to quit," he said, emitting a burst of laughter.

The New York Times

There was a burst of laughter and applause from the den.

The New Yorker

"All our sites are," said the senior editor, Ms. Osborne, causing a burst of laughter.

The New York Times - Tech

"Yes, but mine are much bigger than hers!" A long burst of laughter.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "burst of laughter" with descriptive adjectives to provide more context, such as "a hearty burst of laughter" or "a nervous burst of laughter", to further develop the mood and emotional tone of the scene.

Common error

While "burst of laughter" is common, be mindful of the formality of your writing. In highly formal or academic contexts, consider more restrained alternatives such as "a moment of amusement" or "audible laughter" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "burst of laughter" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the subject or object of a sentence to describe an instance of sudden, explosive laughter. Ludwig AI examples show its use in describing reactions to jokes, humorous situations, or unexpected events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Arts

15%

Literature

12%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "burst of laughter" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe a sudden, explosive expression of amusement. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and demonstrates its common usage across various contexts, particularly in news, media, and the arts. While appropriate for general use, writers should consider the formality of their context and choose alternatives if a more restrained tone is required. The phrase serves to vividly depict a scene or reaction, adding a layer of sensory detail to the writing. Related phrases, such as "peal of laughter" or "roar of laughter", offer nuanced alternatives to adjust the intensity and tone of the description.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

roar of laughter

Indicates a very loud and prolonged outburst of laughter.

peal of laughter

Implies a louder, more resonant and sustained sound of laughter.

guffaw

Suggests a boisterous, hearty, and often unrestrained laugh.

wave of laughter

Indicates a spreading, increasing sound of laughter from a crowd.

ripple of laughter

Conveys a light, spreading sound of laughter, often among a group.

fit of giggles

Describes uncontrollable, often nervous or silly laughter.

chuckle of amusement

Refers to a quiet, contained expression of amusement.

outburst of merriment

A more formal and emphatic way to describe sudden joyful laughter.

cry of laughter

Suggests a sharp, sudden expression of intense amusement.

spasm of laughter

Implies a sudden, intense, and brief episode of laughter.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "burst of laughter" in a sentence?

Use "burst of laughter" to describe a sudden, explosive sound of amusement, for example: "The comedian's joke was met with a "burst of laughter" from the audience".

What are some alternatives to "burst of laughter"?

Alternatives include "peal of laughter", "roar of laughter", or "fit of giggles", each conveying a slightly different nuance in the sound and intensity of the laughter.

Is it appropriate to use "burst of laughter" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, consider the context. In more formal writing, alternatives like "audible amusement" or a more descriptive phrase might be more suitable than "burst of laughter".

What's the difference between "burst of laughter" and "ripple of laughter"?

"Burst of laughter" suggests a sudden, explosive sound, while "ripple of laughter" implies a lighter, spreading sound, often starting from one person and moving through a group.