sudden laugh

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sudden laugh" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an unexpected or abrupt laugh that occurs without warning. Example: "During the serious meeting, a sudden laugh erupted from the back of the room, catching everyone off guard."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Ilka let out a sudden laugh, and said, "What'll I do when the party is over!" She rose, picked up little Maggie, and carried her out of the room, up the stairs, past Dr. Stone hiding in the foyer.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

And I felt that sudden laugh-cry-choke that I've only coughed out a few times in my life, when things took an unexpected happy turn in times of great distress.

Huffington Post

At this, Gilbert laughs, a sudden, booming laugh that fills his Cambridge office.

The New York Times - Magazine

(With a sudden wild laugh) Here I am arguing like an imbecile!

The New Yorker

Lurie had an air of unpretentious surety and a sudden, piercing laugh, and she and Robinson wasted no time trying to hide the failings of their program.

The New York Times - Magazine

Paul Thomas Anderson's "The Master" offered something more like false unity — recurring images of churning seas and Joaquin Phoenix's twisted face and body, with one eye fully open, the other half closed, a hunched walk, a sudden irrelevant laugh.

The New Yorker

I'm thankful for the companionship of my husband, the sudden belly laughs he provokes, and his arms that wrap me up; a fortress.

Huffington Post

He held down a sudden impulse to laugh at the idea of them, a solemn queue stretching out into the corridor, downstairs to reception, back through time.

The New York Times - Books

"Those close to me have all seen me on the verge of a nervous breakdown and suicide and all of a sudden I'm laughing and joking and have got a spring in my step.

BBC

I can't seem to stop crying, when all of a sudden, I start laughing.

Vice

I can't stop crying, when all of a sudden, I start laughing.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sudden laugh" to effectively convey the unexpected and spontaneous nature of a character's reaction, adding a layer of realism and immediacy to your narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "sudden laugh" in situations where a laugh is expected, such as after a joke. Reserve it for moments of genuine surprise or unexpected humor to maximize its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sudden laugh" functions as a noun phrase, where "sudden" modifies the noun "laugh". Ludwig AI examples show it describing a spontaneous, unexpected expression of amusement, adding detail to character reactions or situational descriptions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sudden laugh" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe an unexpected expression of amusement. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts, primarily in news and media. While seemingly simple, the phrase adds specificity by highlighting the spontaneity of the laughter. For those seeking alternatives, options like "unexpected chuckle" or "abrupt outburst of laughter" offer subtle variations in meaning. Remember to reserve the phrase for moments where the laughter genuinely catches the character – and the reader – by surprise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unexpected chuckle

Replaces "laugh" with "chuckle", suggesting a quieter, more subdued expression of amusement and also replace "sudden" with "unexpected" with similar meaning.

abrupt outburst of laughter

Emphasizes the suddenness and intensity of the laugh by using "abrupt outburst" instead of "sudden".

spontaneous giggle

Replaces "laugh" with "giggle", implying a lighter, more playful expression of amusement.

impulsive burst of laughter

Highlights the impulsive nature of the laugh, using "burst of laughter" for emphasis.

unforeseen guffaw

Uses "guffaw" to indicate a loud, unrestrained laugh and replace "sudden" with "unforeseen" with similar meaning.

startled laugh

Suggests the laugh is triggered by surprise or shock.

surprised chuckle

Implies the laugh arises from a feeling of surprise.

unprompted laugh

Highlights that the laugh was not caused by anything.

quick laugh

Focuses on the brevity of the laugh.

instant laugh

Emphasizes the immediate onset of the laugh.

FAQs

How to use "sudden laugh" in a sentence?

You can use "sudden laugh" to describe an unexpected expression of amusement. For example, "During the serious meeting, a "sudden laugh" erupted from the back of the room".

What can I say instead of "sudden laugh"?

You can use alternatives like "unexpected chuckle", "abrupt outburst of laughter", or "spontaneous giggle" depending on the context.

What does "sudden laugh" mean?

"Sudden laugh" refers to a laugh that occurs unexpectedly or abruptly, often in response to a surprising or amusing situation.

Is "sudden laugh" formal or informal?

"Sudden laugh" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more descriptive alternatives might be preferred in formal writing.