hollow laughter

USAGE SUMMARY

"hollow laughter" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe laughter that lacks genuine emotion or joy, often indicating sadness or insincerity. Example: Her hollow laughter echoed in the empty room, revealing her true feelings of despair. Alternative expressions include "empty laughter" and "forced laughter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Cue hollow laughter.

The Economist

Let the hollow laughter begin.

The Guardian - Opinion

Feel free to indulge in hollow laughter.

The Guardian

Melodrama is filled with hollow laughter.

The Guardian - Arts

Is that hollow laughter that she hears?

The New Yorker

It would also make him howl with hollow laughter.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

The remainder of his statement was drowned out by gales of hollow, angry laughter.

The Guardian - Opinion

The hollow, nihilistic laughter expressed by the Dada movement at the turn of the century in the midst of WWI, reiterates feelings that Schopenhauer's philosophy had embodied almost a century earlier.

SEP

How many times does he sneak off for a shit at work, headphones wrapped around his knuckle, excessively flushing to drown his hollow, malicious laughter.

Vice

Murphy, who had given him a quiet smile, developed the smile into hollow-sounding laughter.

The New Yorker

Yet the laughter rang hollow.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hollow laughter" to depict a character's internal state of sadness or disillusionment masked by a superficial expression of amusement.

Common error

While descriptive, repeatedly using "hollow laughter" can become repetitive. Vary your descriptions with alternatives like "forced chuckle" or "insincere laughter" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hollow laughter" functions as a descriptive noun phrase, modifying the noun "laughter" with the adjective "hollow". It evokes a sense of emptiness or insincerity. Ludwig provides multiple examples showcasing its usage in describing a character's emotional state or a situation's ironic undertones.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Opinion

20%

Arts

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hollow laughter" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe laughter lacking genuine emotion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively conveys insincerity, sadness, or irony. Predominantly found in News & Media, Opinion, and Arts contexts, it suits both formal and informal writing. To avoid repetition, consider alternatives like "insincere laughter" or "forced chuckle". Use "hollow laughter" judiciously to add depth and nuance to your writing, depicting characters' hidden emotions effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Insincere laughter

Focuses on the lack of genuine emotion behind the laughter.

Empty laughter

Emphasizes the lack of substance or joy in the laughter.

Forced laughter

Highlights the artificial or unnatural quality of the laughter.

Artificial amusement

Shifts from laughter to a broader sense of amusement, but retains the insincere aspect.

Bitter chuckle

Indicates laughter tinged with resentment or disappointment.

Joyless mirth

Highlights the absence of joy, focusing on the mirthless quality.

Mocking laughter

Focuses on laughter used to ridicule or scorn.

Ironical chuckle

Highlights a subtle form of laughter used to express a meaning that is the opposite of the literal meaning.

Sardonic laughter

Emphasizes cynical and scornful laughter.

Unamused chuckle

Highlights the expression of a chuckle without amusement.

FAQs

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

"Hollow laughter" describes laughter that is empty or insincere, often masking sadness or pain. For example: Her "hollow laughter" echoed in the silent room.

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

Alternatives include "insincere laughter", "forced laughter", or "empty laughter", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Yes, "hollow laughter" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing, as it's a well-understood and widely used phrase. Its suitability depends more on the context and tone of your writing.

What does "hollow laughter" imply about the person laughing?

It suggests that the person is not genuinely amused and may be experiencing underlying sadness, disappointment, or a sense of disillusionment. The laughter is a facade, lacking true joy.