howled with laughter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "howled with laughter" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is laughing very loudly or uncontrollably, often in response to something humorous. Example: "When the comedian told his best joke, the audience howled with laughter, unable to contain their amusement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Everyone howled with laughter.

The New York Times - Sports

They howled with laughter.

The New York Times

Johnny howled with laughter.

The New Yorker

We howled with laughter.

The New York Times

The women howled with laughter.

The New York Times

My editors howled with laughter".

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

He howls with laughter.

The Guardian

Edwyn howls with laughter.

The Guardian - Music

Everyone was howling with laughter.

The Guardian - Books

OK, time to stop howling with laughter.

The Guardian - Business

He makes me howl with laughter.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "howled with laughter" to vividly describe a reaction of extreme amusement, especially when the laughter is loud, unrestrained, and possibly prolonged. It's most effective when the situation is genuinely funny or absurd.

Common error

While "howled with laughter" is generally acceptable, avoid using it in highly formal or professional writing where a more subdued expression of amusement might be more appropriate. Consider alternatives like "smiled broadly" or "chuckled" in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "howled with laughter" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically used as a predicate to indicate the manner in which someone laughed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a standard English expression. The examples from Ludwig show its prevalent use in various narrative contexts to add vividness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

7%

Science

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "howled with laughter" is a grammatically sound and common phrase used to describe a loud, unrestrained expression of amusement. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Predominantly found in news and media, it serves to emphasize the intensity of someone's laughter in a narrative. While generally acceptable, it may be less appropriate in strictly formal or academic writing, where more subdued language is preferred. Alternatives like "roared with laughter" or "burst out laughing" can be used depending on the specific context and desired nuance. The phrase effectively communicates extreme amusement, making it a vivid addition to descriptive writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

roared with laughter

Implies a loud, unrestrained burst of laughter, similar to "howled with laughter" but can suggest even greater intensity.

burst out laughing

Describes a sudden, spontaneous eruption of laughter; less intense than "howled with laughter".

cracked up

Informal way of saying someone started laughing uncontrollably. Can be more sudden and less sustained than "howled with laughter".

guffawed

Describes a loud, hearty laugh. More specific in describing the sound of laughter than "howled with laughter".

shrieked with laughter

Emphasizes the high-pitched and often unrestrained nature of the laughter. Adds an element of excitement or hysteria.

dissolved into laughter

Suggests a gradual transition into laughter, implying a loss of control. Different from the immediate impact of "howled with laughter".

in stitches

Idiomatic expression indicating extreme amusement, where someone is laughing uncontrollably.

creased up with laughter

Another idiomatic expression for laughing uncontrollably, suggesting that one's face is contorted from laughter.

convulsed with laughter

Implies a physical reaction to laughter, with the body shaking or contorting.

found it hilarious

A more general statement indicating that something was very funny, without specifying the manner of laughter.

FAQs

How can I use "howled with laughter" in a sentence?

You can use "howled with laughter" to describe a situation where someone laughed loudly and unrestrainedly. For example, "The audience "howled with laughter" at the comedian's jokes."

What are some alternatives to "howled with laughter"?

Alternatives include "roared with laughter", "burst out laughing", or "cracked up", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "howled with laughter" too informal for academic writing?

While generally acceptable, "howled with laughter" might be too informal for some academic contexts. Consider using more neutral phrases such as "the audience responded positively" or "the findings were met with amusement" if a more formal tone is required.

What's the difference between "howled with laughter" and "chuckled"?

"Howled with laughter" describes a loud, unrestrained outburst of laughter, while "chuckled" indicates a quiet, gentle laugh. The choice depends on the intensity of the laughter you want to portray.