ripple of laughter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ripple of laughter" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a soft, spreading sound of laughter that creates a sense of warmth or joy in a situation. Example: "As the comedian delivered his punchline, a ripple of laughter spread through the audience, lightening the mood."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

That sent a ripple of laughter through the room.

The Guardian - Sport

A ripple of laughter ran through the group.

The New Yorker

There was a ripple of laughter among the Iraqis, and Khalilzad couldn't suppress a smile.

The New Yorker

The ensuing ripple of laughter from the hall had an uncertain edge.

The New York Times - Arts

Although a ripple of laughter greeted Nord's words, the remark wasn't entirely a joke.

Princeton University

"It certainly doesn't feel like that to me," replied Zuckerberg, to a ripple of laughter.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

The language raises wry smiles and ripples of laughter.

The New York Times

"Now tap your own buttocks," she instructs, and ripples of laughter spread across the stage.

The New York Times

The lowest-common-denominator tone of the humour sends uneven ripples of laughter through the audience.

The Guardian

That, he added to ripples of laughter from the audience, was "kind of the start of why my grades were what they were".

The New York Times

His unexpected admission, "sorry I'm a bit squeaky – they gave us too many custards and puddings backstage", gets affectionate ripples of laughter.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ripple of laughter" to describe a gentle, spreading sound of amusement in response to a humorous situation, creating a sense of shared joy or lightheartedness.

Common error

Avoid using "ripple of laughter" to describe uproarious or boisterous laughter; the word "ripple" implies a gentle, subtle spread of sound, not an overwhelming outburst.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ripple of laughter" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence to describe a particular kind of sound. Ludwig's examples show it typically follows verbs like 'sent', 'caused', or 'provoked' to describe the effect of something humorous.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ripple of laughter" effectively describes a gentle, spreading sound of amusement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts, primarily in news and media, with occasional academic or formal usage. Related phrases, such as "peal of laughter" or "wave of amusement", offer alternative ways to express similar sentiments, though with slight variations in intensity or tone. When using the phrase, it's essential to ensure that it accurately reflects the subtlety of the laughter being described, avoiding its use for more boisterous or explosive sounds. Using this phrase is a way to add an auditive context to a scene you're creating.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

chuckle of amusement

Replaces "laughter" with "amusement", highlighting the emotional tone but using a more specific synonym for the sound.

sound of mirth

Substitutes "laughter" with "mirth", offering a slightly more formal and literary alternative.

wave of amusement

Uses "amusement" instead of "laughter", focusing on the emotion. "Wave" gives similar imagery as "ripple".

echo of laughter

Replaces "ripple" with "echo", emphasizing the reverberating aspect of the sound.

peal of laughter

Replaces "ripple" with "peal", suggesting a louder and more resonant sound.

chorus of chuckles

Emphasizes the collective nature of the laughter and replaces "laughter" with "chuckles", reducing intensity.

burst of giggles

Replaces "laughter" with "giggles", indicating a lighter, more playful form of amusement.

murmur of amusement

Changes "laughter" to "amusement" and "ripple" to "murmur", indicating a quieter, more subdued reaction.

breath of levity

Uses a more abstract approach, focusing on the light-heartedness that the laughter brings.

tinge of humor

Emphasizes a slight presence of humor, rather than a full sound of laughter.

FAQs

How can I use "ripple of laughter" in a sentence?

You can use "ripple of laughter" to describe a gentle, spreading sound of amusement, such as: "The comedian's joke caused a "ripple of laughter" to spread through the audience."

What's the difference between "ripple of laughter" and "burst of laughter"?

A "ripple of laughter" suggests a gentle, spreading sound, while "burst of laughter" implies a sudden, more explosive sound.

What can I say instead of "ripple of laughter"?

You can use alternatives like "chuckle of amusement", "sound of mirth", or "peal of laughter" depending on the context.

Is "ripple of laughter" formal or informal?

"Ripple of laughter" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it's more commonly found in descriptive writing or narratives. The level of formality depends on the surrounding text and the overall tone of the writing.