fear of laughter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fear of laughter" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an anxiety or apprehension about laughing or being laughed at, often in social situations. Example: "Her fear of laughter made it difficult for her to enjoy the comedy show, as she was constantly worried about how others would perceive her reactions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Geliophobia- Fear of laughter.

The New Yorker

They are people with gelotophobia - a fear of laughter.

BBC

It leads the world for extreme gelotophobia, with 1% of the UK population categorised as having a pathological fear of laughter, which impacts greatly on their daily life.

BBC

For example, there is "Geliophobia", a fear of laughter and "Gelotophobia", the fear of being laughed at.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

They will tell their own stories, joyous ones of recovery and hope, painful ones of loss and fear, even some of laughter and foolishness.

American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

Plato and Aristotle correctly feared the power of laughter to undermine authority and lead to the overthrow of the state.

The Guardian - Books

He has in the past arrived from Europe and told people that Wall Street is conservative; Charlie now crying Bear, Bear once too often has not made any announcement at all for fear of provoking much laughter.

The New Yorker

My merely mentioning the name Littlefield conjured in locals a mixture of laughter, fear, and envy.

Vice

The combined experience of fear and laughter changed his life.

Huffington Post

The comedian later made an analogy to describe the combination of fear and laughter that Trump regularly provokes in him.

Huffington Post

They didn't dare look at one another, for fear of spurting out with laughter.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing psychological conditions, it's best to use precise and recognized terminology like "gelotophobia" or "gelophobia" if appropriate, as these terms are specifically defined within the field.

Common error

Avoid using "fear of laughter" interchangeably with fear of public speaking or general social anxiety. While related, the fear specifically targets the act and sound of laughter.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fear of laughter" functions as a noun phrase describing a specific type of fear. As Ludwig AI suggests, it describes an anxiety or apprehension about laughing or being laughed at, often in social situations.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fear of laughter" describes an anxiety related to laughing or being laughed at. While grammatically correct, Ludwig indicates it is more common to use terms like "gelotophobia" (fear of being laughed at) or "gelophobia" (fear of laughter) to describe this condition with greater precision. The phrase appears mostly in news and media contexts and less frequently in scientific ones. Alternative ways to express this concept include "anxiety about laughter" or "apprehension towards laughter". When writing about this topic, consider the specific nuance you wish to convey and choose the most accurate term. The best practice is to use precise and recognized terminology like "gelotophobia" or "gelophobia" while avoiding interchangeably using "fear of laughter" with fear of public speaking or general social anxiety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gelotophobia

Scientific term for the fear of being laughed at, closely related to fear of laughter itself.

gelophobia

Fear of laughter, either laughing at others or being exposed to laughter.

anxiety about laughter

Focuses on the anxiety component associated with laughter, whether it's experiencing it or being the target.

apprehension towards laughter

Highlights the feeling of unease or worry related to situations involving laughter.

avoidance of laughter

Emphasizes the behavioral aspect of avoiding situations where laughter is present.

discomfort with laughter

Indicates a general sense of unease or awkwardness in the context of laughter.

social anxiety related to laughter

Connects the fear of laughter to broader social anxiety concerns.

sensitivity to laughter

Implies heightened awareness and negative reaction to laughter.

aversion to laughter

Suggests a strong dislike or revulsion towards laughter.

lachnophobia

Lachnophobia is the fear of vegetables.

FAQs

What's the difference between "fear of laughter" and gelotophobia?

"Fear of laughter" is a general term, while "gelotophobia" specifically refers to the fear of being laughed at. They are related but not identical.

What causes a "fear of laughter"?

The causes can vary, but often stem from past experiences of being mocked or ridiculed, leading to anxiety around laughter in social situations.

How can I overcome my "fear of laughter"?

Therapy, particularly cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), can help address the underlying anxieties. Gradual exposure to laughter in safe environments may also be beneficial.

Are there other conditions related to "fear of laughter"?

Yes, it can be related to social anxiety disorder, "social phobia", or other anxiety disorders that impact social interactions.