contagious laughter

USAGE SUMMARY

"contagious laughter" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where one person's laughter spreads to others, such as in a group of friends or family. For example: "Sarah's contagious laughter spread throughout the room and soon everyone was laughing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Her contagious laughter and compassion for others was ever present.

The New York Times

Her contagious laughter, quick wit and sense of humor will always be remembered.

The New York Times

The eternally cheerful Barbon has trouble completing a sentence without contagious laughter.

The New York Times - Sports

Consider the bizarre events of the 1962 outbreak of contagious laughter in Tanganyika (now Tanzania).

The Guardian - Books

We think of you daily and remember your words of wisdom and contagious laughter.

The New York Times

Contagious laughter propagated from one individual to the next, eventually infecting adjacent communities.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

Combined with a possibly contagious smile, laughter and wit, and these buck teeth could have been quite irresistible.

The New York Times

Dr. Dunbar, however, was concerned with relaxed, contagious social laughter, not the tyrant's cackle or the "polite titter" of awkward conversation.

The New York Times - Science

And the more that someone shows a contagious response to laughter, the better they are at telling whether a laugh is real or forced.

BBC

Paradoxically, she says, comedians often find it easier to work in large venues, perhaps because the contagious nature of laughter means that waves of mirth can catch on more easily when there are more people.

BBC

Laughter is contagious; did you ever notice that in television shows, there is background laughter in parts of the show that aren't even that funny?

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "contagious laughter" to vividly describe situations where joy and amusement spread quickly among people, enhancing the sense of connection and shared experience.

Common error

Avoid using "contagious laughter" to describe situations where laughter is forced or artificial. The phrase implies a genuine and spontaneous spread of joy, not mere mimicry.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "contagious laughter" is to act as a descriptive phrase, where "contagious" modifies the noun "laughter". It describes a quality of laughter, indicating its ability to spread easily and influence others. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "contagious laughter" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe laughter that spreads easily from one person to another. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s appropriate in various contexts, especially within News & Media. While alternatives such as "infectious laughter" and "catching laughter" exist, it's important to ensure the laughter described is genuine rather than forced. The phrase’s frequent use in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian reinforces its acceptability and descriptive power.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

infectious laughter

Changes the adjective while maintaining the core meaning of easily spreading laughter.

catching laughter

Replaces "contagious" with a synonym that also implies rapid spread.

irresistible laughter

Focuses on the compelling and hard-to-resist nature of the laughter.

uncontrollable laughter

Highlights the difficulty in stopping oneself from joining in the laughter.

booming laughter

Shifts the focus to the loud and resonating quality of the laughter, suggesting it fills a space and influences others.

hearty laughter

Emphasizes the genuine and wholesome nature of the laughter, making it appealing.

genuine laughter

Underscores the authenticity of the laughter and its positive impact.

spontaneous laughter

Focuses on the unplanned and natural emergence of the laughter.

uplifting laughter

Highlights the positive and mood-enhancing effect of the laughter.

shared laughter

Emphasizes the communal aspect of the laughter experience.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "contagious laughter" in a sentence?

Use "contagious laughter" to illustrate how one person's amusement can spread to others, creating a joyful and shared experience. For example, "Her "contagious laughter" quickly filled the room, making everyone feel at ease."

What are some alternatives to "contagious laughter"?

You can use alternatives like "infectious laughter", "catching laughter", or "irresistible laughter" to describe laughter that spreads easily.

Is it appropriate to use "contagious laughter" in formal writing?

Yes, "contagious laughter" is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. Its usage is widespread across various types of sources, including news media and scientific articles.

What makes laughter "contagious"?

Laughter becomes "contagious" due to the natural human tendency to mimic the emotions and behaviors of others, creating a ripple effect of amusement and joy within a group.