genuine laughter

USAGE SUMMARY

"genuine laughter" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe someone's reaction that is noticeably authentic, or to describe a sound that is unmistakably real. For example, "As she shared her story, there was genuine laughter in the room as everyone related to her experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

And according to the study, experiencing a bout of "genuine laughter" for a day can also burn up to 2000 calories.

Independent

Any sort of joke can be justified, provided it's funny, but there is scarcely a moment of genuine laughter in the mercifully brief 78 minutes of this "Cat".

The New York Times

His opening speech was typical of his style: lofty at times, but with an earthy, self-deprecating humor that drew genuine laughter from the audience.

The New Yorker

Genuine laughter between parents and children purges you of some of the nastier stresses and conflicts of family life - time out from the intensity.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Comedy, he said in 1981, should be shaped very seriously and have an emotional foundation, evoke genuine laughter and then provide some insight.

The New York Times

The real victims, of course, are the generation of obese children who will never experience the cardiovascular rewards of genuine laughter, or think of their mouths as anything more than hunger holes.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Those responses are silly, he believes, because they've become "the earnest performance of seriousness in the absence of both genuine seriousness and real laughter.... Think Keith Olbermann.

The New York Times - Books

But then Lanie hears intimations of her own mortality, eventually leading to a change of heart in a romantic comedy whose relentless upbeatness "wrecks the possibility of either real laughter or genuine pathos" (A. O. Scott).

The New York Times

Nobody suffers so much as a bruised feeling, which is part of the problem: the relentless upbeatness of "Life or Something Like It" wrecks the possibility of either real laughter or genuine pathos.

The New York Times

We elicited tokens of genuine amusement laughter (henceforth Evoked laughter) by showing humorous audiovisual stimuli to speakers of British English.

Cerebral Cortex

"Genuine voiced laughter causes a 10 to 20 per cent increase in energy use and heart rate," they say.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "genuine laughter" to specifically highlight the authenticity and sincerity of the laughter, rather than simply stating that someone laughed. It adds a layer of emotional depth and emphasizes the realness of the reaction.

Common error

Avoid using "genuine laughter" when any laughter would suffice. Reserve it for instances where the authenticity of the laughter is important to convey, otherwise, it can sound redundant or overly emphatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "genuine laughter" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "genuine" modifies the noun "laughter". It describes a specific type of laughter that is authentic and heartfelt, as supported by Ludwig's analysis.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "genuine laughter" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase used to emphasize the sincerity and authenticity of laughter. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and highlights its function as a descriptor of heartfelt amusement. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media contexts, with supporting presence in Science and Wiki articles. While alternatives such as "real laughter" or "heartfelt laughter" exist, "genuine laughter" specifically highlights the unforced and sincere nature of the expression. When using this phrase, remember to reserve it for instances where the authenticity of the laughter is particularly relevant to the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

real laughter

Emphasizes the authenticity of the laughter, similar to "genuine laughter".

authentic laughter

Highlights the non-artificial quality of the laughter.

unfeigned laughter

Stresses the sincerity and lack of pretense in the laughter.

heartfelt laughter

Suggests the laughter comes from a deep emotional place.

sincere laughter

Implies honesty and truthfulness behind the laughter.

honest laughter

Focuses on the truthful and unreserved nature of the laughter.

spontaneous laughter

Highlights the unplanned and natural occurrence of the laughter.

uncontrived laughter

Emphasizes that the laughter is not forced or manufactured.

unforced laughter

Stresses the natural and relaxed quality of the laughter.

uninhibited laughter

Suggests the laughter is free from restraint or self-consciousness.

FAQs

How can I use "genuine laughter" in a sentence?

You can use "genuine laughter" to describe a reaction that is authentic and heartfelt. For instance, "The comedian's jokes elicited "genuine laughter" from the audience."

What's a good alternative to "genuine laughter"?

Alternatives to "genuine laughter" include "real laughter", "heartfelt laughter", or "sincere laughter", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "genuine laughter"?

While all laughter is technically "genuine", using the phrase "genuine laughter" emphasizes the authenticity and heartfelt nature of the laughter, distinguishing it from polite or forced laughter.

What is the difference between "genuine laughter" and a nervous laugh?

"Genuine laughter" is a natural, joyful expression, while a nervous laugh is often a response to stress or discomfort. The former indicates amusement, the latter unease.