dry laugh

USAGE SUMMARY

"dry laugh" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is often used to describe a laugh that is not particularly heartfelt or emphatic, for example, when someone is being ironic or cynical. For example: "My mother gave a dry laugh when she heard the news."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

He emits a dry laugh.

The Guardian

Slater laughs a dry laugh.

The Guardian - Film

She laughed a dry laugh.

The New Yorker

"Not so little, unfortunately," Joyce said with a dry laugh.

The New Yorker

When I say this, she lets out a dry laugh.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I can't," she says with a dry laugh.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

After episode one you think it's going to be solely dry laughs ahead, but it'll have you hurting in the gut when she's crying on her estranged dad's doorstep to tell him she's realised she's a morally defective dick.

Vice

It never crossed my mind until they were seated that they were my juniors!' He laughs his dry, laconic laugh as if he's talking about someone else, and I wonder, as he scans the years, what are the things he feels most proud of?

The Guardian - Books

"Yeah," he says, with a dry, wheezy laugh.

The Guardian - Film

His eyebrows twitched in a gesture of disbelief, and he emitted a dry, barking laugh.

The New Yorker

"I don't expect to be very kinetic," Stanley Kunitz said, with a dry little laugh.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dry laugh" to convey a lack of genuine amusement or a sense of irony. It's effective for portraying characters who are cynical, sarcastic, or unimpressed.

Common error

Avoid using "dry laugh" when you intend to convey genuine amusement. The phrase implies a lack of warmth or sincerity, so ensure it aligns with the intended emotional tone of the scene.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dry laugh" functions as a noun phrase modified by an adjective. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, typically describing a specific quality of laughter lacking warmth or sincerity, as seen in the examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

99%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "dry laugh" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe laughter that lacks genuine amusement or warmth. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's often employed to depict characters exhibiting cynicism, sarcasm, or a general lack of enthusiasm. Predominantly found in News & Media, the phrase serves to convey subtle emotional cues and reactions. Alternatives such as "forced laugh" or "hollow laugh" offer similar shades of meaning, while guidance emphasizes avoiding its use when intending to portray authentic joy. Ultimately, mastering the use of "dry laugh" involves recognizing its capacity to add depth and nuance to written descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insincere laugh

Directly indicates the lack of genuine feeling behind the laugh.

hollow laugh

Highlights the emptiness or lack of joy in the laughter.

bitter laugh

Highlights the painful or resentful nature of the laughter.

forced laugh

Emphasizes the insincerity or lack of genuine amusement behind the laugh.

ironic laugh

Specifies that the laugh is used to express the opposite of what is meant.

humorless laugh

Suggests a laugh that lacks wit or genuine amusement.

cynical laugh

Links the laughter to a feeling of distrust or pessimism.

sardonic laugh

Implies a mocking or bitter quality to the laugh.

slight chuckle

Describes a quiet, restrained expression of amusement, potentially lacking warmth.

wheezy laugh

Focuses on the sound of the laugh, suggesting it is strained or unhealthy.

FAQs

How to use "dry laugh" in a sentence?

You can use "dry laugh" to describe a laugh that lacks genuine amusement or sincerity. For example, "She gave a "dry laugh" when he told the joke."

What can I say instead of "dry laugh"?

You can use alternatives like "forced laugh", "hollow laugh", or "humorless laugh" depending on the context.

What does "dry laugh" imply about a person's emotions?

A "dry laugh" suggests the person is not genuinely amused and might be sarcastic, cynical, or simply unimpressed. It often conveys a lack of warmth or sincerity.

Is "dry laugh" formal or informal?

"Dry laugh" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's more common in descriptive writing, where it helps to convey a specific emotional state or character trait. Its appropriateness depends on the overall tone of the writing.