evil laugh

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "evil laugh" is a correct and usable part of the English language.
You can use it any time you want to describe somebody laughing in a sinister or malicious way. For example: "The villain's evil laugh echoed through the dungeon as he plotted his revenge."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Cue another evil laugh.

The Guardian - Travel

STEVE AUSTIN [with unconvincing evil laugh] Hahahahaha!

The Guardian - Film

Here you may imagine an evil laugh and crash of thunder if you wish.

The New York Times

"I'm just comparing people with bugs," Mr. Taylor said with an evil laugh.

The New York Times - Arts

Its bone-white teeth clattered open and shut, as an evil laugh reverberated through the arena.

The New York Times - Arts

Senior, who supervises the running around the bases, laughed an evil laugh.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

(Cue evil laughing).

Huffington Post

But someone, somewhere, is letting out one of those deep evil laughs, in between sips of green tea.

Huffington Post

Pretend to hear a sound (a scream, evil laughing, anything out of the ordinary).

WikiHow

Evil laughs might look cool or may seem to add affect to the stare, but in reality it can make you look stupid.

WikiHow

I also especially liked the Evil Emperors laugh – "Foo Hoo Hoo Hoo" – which he uses any time he can.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "evil laugh" to vividly depict a character's malevolence or sinister intent. It's particularly effective in fiction to create a sense of unease or dread.

Common error

Avoid overuse, as it can become cliché. Strive for originality in describing characters' reactions and emotions by varying your word choice when depicting malicious amusement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "evil laugh" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig shows it is used to describe a particular type of laughter associated with villainy or malice.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Wiki

21%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "evil laugh" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to depict sinister or malicious amusement. According to Ludwig, it functions primarily as a noun phrase, often employed in news, media, and fictional contexts to convey menace or villainy. While generally neutral in register, overuse can lead to cliché. Alternatives like "devilish laugh" or "malicious laugh" can provide nuanced variations. The phrase is generally considered correct and usable in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

devilish laugh

Focuses more on the mischievous and playful aspect of the laughter, while maintaining a sinister undertone.

malicious laugh

Emphasizes the intent to cause harm or suffering through laughter.

sinister chuckle

Implies a quiet, suppressed, but equally threatening form of laughter.

diabolical cackle

Conveys a loud, harsh, and gleefully wicked laugh.

villainous laughter

Directly associates the laughter with a villain or antagonist.

fiendish guffaw

Suggests a boisterous and unrestrained laugh with wicked undertones.

menacing laughter

Highlights the threatening and intimidating nature of the laughter.

demonic laugh

Implies that the laugh is otherworldly and sinister

sardonic laughter

Indicates mocking, cynical, or scornful laughter.

wicked laugh

Simple and general term that refers to malevolent form of amusement

FAQs

How can I use "evil laugh" in a sentence?

Use "evil laugh" to describe a sinister or malicious form of laughter, often associated with villains or characters plotting something wicked. For example, "The villain's "evil laugh" echoed through the castle as he revealed his plan".

What are some alternatives to "evil laugh"?

You can use alternatives like "devilish laugh", "malicious laugh", or "sinister chuckle" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "evil laugh" formal or informal?

"Evil laugh" is generally considered an informal expression, often used in fictional contexts or to add dramatic flair. In more formal or academic writing, you might opt for a more descriptive or nuanced phrase.

What is the difference between "evil laugh" and "wicked laugh"?

While both phrases convey a sense of malevolence, "evil laugh" is more commonly used and directly implies a sinister intent. "Wicked laugh" is a more general term that indicates mischievousness or naughtiness, which it is a very close alternative.