laughs

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "laughs" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a noun or intransitive verb used to express a feeling of amusement or happiness. You can use it to describe the sound of someone's laughter or to express that someone is feeling happy or amused. Example sentence: Everyone in the room was in fits of laughter as the silly clown performed his tricks.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He laughs.

The New York Times

She laughs.

The Guardian

Everybody laughs.

The Guardian

Farage was the only leader to provoke an emotional reaction, earning laughs and applause from at least two of the male viewers, who had voted Lib Dem and Labour in 2010.

The Guardian

When asked to respond to Simon Cowell's recent comment that Clarkson "started to fight against what made her successful … one minute she wants to make pop records, and then she doesn't," she laughs loudly again, but there's a distinct flash of anger as she says: "Everyone's aware that My Life Would Suck Without You and Already Gone were huge pop hits, right?

The Guardian - Music

Lawn laughs softly at the memory, an illustration of how this lifelong fan, whose first match was a 3-0 win over Southport in 1964, is retaining perspective despite a desperately trying period for him, his wife, Yvonne, and their five children.

The Guardian - Sport

Then we all met in the bar for hugs and laughs".

The Guardian - Music

Lucky stands back from his patient, flashes a big smile in my direction then laughs "Yes I suppose I am lucky, but maybe my patients are not".

The Guardian

"I'm not even sure I should be telling you this," he laughs nervously.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She laughs, then becomes suddenly passionate: "It tells me that people are interested in a different type of politics, and that's what's most encouraging".

The Guardian

He looks sheepish and laughs: "Look, were one to say Ruskin's entire view were beside the point, it would be outrageous – ludicrous.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "laughs" to indicate an audible expression of amusement, distinguishing it from other expressions of happiness or contentment. For instance, "She laughs at the comedian's jokes" is clearer than "She is happy at the comedian's jokes".

Common error

Avoid using "laughs" when the context implies silent amusement or a smile. "She laughs at his text message" should only be used if she audibly laughed; otherwise, consider "smiles" or "is amused".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "laughs" is as a verb, specifically the third-person singular present tense of "laugh". It describes the action of expressing amusement or joy audibly. Ludwig examples showcase this function in various contexts, reinforcing its role as a descriptive verb.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "laughs" functions as a verb to describe an audible expression of amusement or joy. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It's a very common term, predominantly found in news and media contexts. To ensure accurate usage, remember that "laughs" should only be used when there is an audible expression of amusement, differentiating it from similar expressions like "smiles" or "is amused". Alternatives such as "chuckles" or "giggles" offer nuanced ways to describe amusement, allowing for more precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bursts out laughing

Suggests a sudden and spontaneous expression of amusement.

roars with laughter

Emphasizes a loud and unrestrained expression of amusement.

chuckles

Implies a quiet or suppressed laugh, often expressing amusement or pleasure.

chortles

Implies a muffled or suppressed chuckle, often expressing satisfaction or amusement.

giggles

Suggests a series of light, silly laughs, often expressing nervousness or amusement.

guffaws

Indicates a loud, hearty laugh, often expressing unrestrained amusement.

expresses mirth

Indicates the demonstration of happiness or merriment, typically through laughter or smiling.

is amused

Indicates a feeling of pleasure or entertainment, which may or may not be expressed with laughter.

shows amusement

Expresses the outward display of being entertained or pleased.

smiles

Indicates a facial expression of happiness or amusement, often without audible laughter.

FAQs

How to use "laughs" in a sentence?

You can use "laughs" to describe the act of making sounds that show you are happy or think something is funny. For example, "He "laughs" at his own jokes".

What can I say instead of "laughs"?

You can use alternatives like "chuckles", "giggles", or "roars with laughter" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "laughs" or "laughing"?

"Laughs" is the third-person singular present tense of the verb "laugh", while "laughing" is the present participle. Use ""laughs"" when the subject is a singular noun or pronoun (e.g., "He laughs"), and use "laughing" in continuous tenses (e.g., "He is laughing").

What's the difference between "smiles" and "laughs"?

"Smiles" indicates a facial expression of happiness, while ""laughs"" indicates an audible expression of amusement. You can smile without laughing, but laughing usually involves smiling.