infectious laugh

USAGE SUMMARY

'infectious laugh' is correct and usable in written English.
You might use it to describe a person's laugh that is so contagious and joyful that it is impossible not to join in with a smile. For example: "Everyone in the room was instantly brought out of their bad mood when she let out her infectious laugh."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is an infectious laugh.

The Guardian

Smiley's infectious laugh punctuates her answer.

The Guardian - Books

We will miss Hal's generous spirit, simpatico and infectious laugh.

The New York Times

With that infectious laugh, she's the best thing in it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Mary's generosity, affable smile and infectious laugh will be missed.

The New York Times

Justice Thomas, who had been chuckling during the exchange, let out an infectious laugh.

The New York Times

His ready smile, infectious laugh and melodic voice will be greatly missed.

The New York Times

She had an infectious laugh, enthusiasm for ideas and conversation, passion and vitality.

The Guardian

It was in that city that Wu met Wang, a woman with an infectious laugh.

The Washington Post

Her wisdom, her infectious laugh and memorable stories will be greatly missed by her family.

The New York Times

"It's a good feeling... to be in such diverse company," he said with an infectious laugh.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "infectious laugh" to vividly portray a person's positive impact on a social setting. The phrase suggests that their laughter is not only enjoyable but also has the power to spread joy to others.

Common error

Avoid using "infectious laugh" to describe a forced or insincere laugh. The term implies genuine joy and positivity, so it would be inappropriate to describe a cynical or mocking laugh as "infectious".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "infectious laugh" functions as a descriptive element, typically used as a noun phrase to characterize a person or a moment. It highlights the contagious nature of the laughter, implying that it's easily spread and enjoyed by others. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase is used to add depth to character descriptions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Academia

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "infectious laugh" effectively describes a laugh that is easily spread and enjoyed by others, according to Ludwig. It is grammatically correct and frequently used, especially in news and media. The phrase evokes joy and positivity. While fairly common, its usage should be carefully considered to avoid overuse. Alternatives such as "contagious laughter" or "joyful laugh" offer similar meanings. Ludwig provides ample examples to illustrate its proper use, reinforcing its communicative power.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contagious laughter

Uses "laughter" instead of "laugh", emphasizing the overall experience, and replaces "infectious" with "contagious", maintaining a similar meaning.

catching laugh

Replaces "infectious" with "catching", conveying the ease with which the laugh spreads.

joyful laugh

Replaces "infectious" with "joyful", focusing on the happiness the laugh conveys.

gleeful laughter

Substitutes "laugh" with "laughter", referring to the phenomenon instead of an instance, and replaces "infectious" with "gleeful", focusing on elation.

delightful chuckle

Substitutes "laugh" with "chuckle", suggesting a quieter, gentler sound, and replaces "infectious" with "delightful", highlighting its pleasantness.

hearty laugh

Emphasizes the genuineness and sincerity of the laugh.

uplifting laugh

Highlights the positive and mood-boosting effect of the laugh.

merry guffaw

Replaces "laugh" with "guffaw", indicating a louder, more boisterous sound, while "merry" emphasizes its joyful quality.

cheering laugh

Emphasizes the effect the laugh has of bringing happiness and good spirits.

spirited laugh

Replaces "infectious" with "spirited", highlighting the lively and energetic quality of the laugh.

FAQs

How can I describe a laugh that spreads joy?

The phrase "infectious laugh" is ideal. You could also use alternatives like "contagious laughter" or "catching laugh".

What makes a laugh "infectious"?

An "infectious laugh" is characterized by its ability to easily spread to others, creating a joyful and positive atmosphere. It suggests that the laugh is genuine, heartfelt, and capable of eliciting smiles and laughter from those who hear it.

Is "infectious laugh" a cliché?

While "infectious laugh" is a common phrase, its effectiveness depends on the context. In moderation, it provides a vivid and concise way to describe a particularly joyful and contagious laugh. Overuse, however, can diminish its impact.

Are there more formal alternatives to "infectious laugh"?

While "infectious laugh" is generally suitable for most contexts, you might consider using "delightful chuckle" or "joyful laughter" in more formal settings. These options convey the positive and pleasant nature of the laugh while maintaining a slightly more refined tone. Consider the audience and purpose of your writing when making your decision.