waves of laughter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "waves of laughter" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe a situation when multiple people are laughing at the same time, often for a long period of time. For example, "The audience was roaring with waves of laughter at the comedian's funny jokes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Waves of laughter made him crack the door.

The New Yorker

"Then from the darkness these waves of laughter come at you.

The New York Times

The cuteness of the puppets won waves of laughter on Saturday night, rightly.

The New York Times - Arts

Despite the moral and professional support, Mr. Milowitz bungled his lines amid waves of laughter.

The New York Times

"The short answer is, 'You go first,' " Ms. Fyne said, to waves of laughter.

The New York Times

Waves of laughter greeted Tu Dance's "High Heel Blues," prompted by the words of the taped Tuck and Patti song.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

There was a wave of laughter.

The Washington Post

A wave of laughter went up again.

The New York Times - Sports

A wave of laughter went through the audience.

The New York Times

She paused, letting a small wave of laughter roll over the crowd.

The New Yorker

There was another wave of laughter, this one propelled by a gust of relief.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing dialogue, use "waves of laughter" to indicate the audience's reaction to a joke or funny situation.

Common error

Avoid using the singular form "wave of laughter" when the context implies multiple instances or a continuous flow of laughter. "Wave of laughter" describes a single instance or surge, while "waves of laughter" better represents prolonged or repeated amusement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "waves of laughter" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object in a sentence. It vividly describes a collective and escalating reaction of amusement, as illustrated by Ludwig's examples from various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "waves of laughter" is a noun phrase effectively used to describe the widespread and intense amusement within a group. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and appears frequently in news, media, and academic contexts. The phrase conveys a vivid image of collective mirth, making it a powerful tool for writers. While synonyms like ""bursts of laughter"" or ""roars of laughter"" exist, "waves of laughter" offers a unique emphasis on the flowing and escalating nature of shared amusement. Remember to use the plural form "waves" when indicating sustained or multiple instances of laughter.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bursts of laughter

Focuses on the sudden and energetic quality of laughter.

peals of laughter

Emphasizes the ringing and resonant quality of laughter.

roars of laughter

Highlights the loud and boisterous nature of the laughter.

gales of laughter

Implies laughter that is powerful and unrestrained.

shouts of laughter

Focuses on the loud and vocal aspect of the laughter.

outbreaks of laughter

Indicates a sudden and widespread instance of laughter.

fits of laughter

Emphasizes uncontrollable and sustained laughter.

sounds of merriment

Broadly describes joyful and cheerful sounds, including laughter.

collective amusement

Focuses on the shared feeling of amusement without explicitly mentioning laughter.

chorus of chuckles

Specifically refers to quiet, suppressed laughter shared by many.

FAQs

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

You can use "waves of laughter" to describe a scene where laughter spreads quickly and intensely. For example, "The comedian's joke triggered "waves of laughter" throughout the audience".

What are some synonyms for "waves of laughter"?

Alternatives include "bursts of laughter", "peals of laughter", or "roars of laughter", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "wave of laughter" instead of "waves of laughter"?

While "wave of laughter" can be correct, it usually refers to a single instance or surge. "Waves of laughter" is more appropriate when describing a prolonged or repeated reaction.

What's the difference between "waves of laughter" and "sounds of merriment"?

"Waves of laughter" specifically refers to the sound of people laughing, whereas "sounds of merriment" is a broader term that can include other joyful sounds besides just laughter.