Reverse Dictionary: LAUGH

(also see GIGGLE)

ADJECTIVES
1567 RIANT smiling, laughing, mirthful, cheerful, gay
1609 RIDENT radiantly cheerful; laughing, smiling, grinning
1620 LAUGHSOME of persons: addicted to laughing, mirthful
1652 RIDIBUNDAL inclined to laughter → obs.
..18C — ABDERIAN given to incessant or continued laughter; inclined to foolish or excessive merriment; foolish, silly
1704 GELASTIC causing or related to laughter, risible
1731 AGELASTIC never laughing; morose, gloomy → obs.
1748 TITTERING giggling, laughing with suppressed mirth
1825 LAUGHFUL full of laughing; mirthful
1828 CACHINNATORY connected with loud or immoderate laughter
1837 LAUGHY inclined to laugh → obs.
1846 GAWFIN laughing loudly → Sc.
1848 ON THE LAUGH laughing
1855 RISORIAL inclined or given to laughter; producing laughter
1856 IN FITS laughing → sl.
1892 GAGGLING laughing affectedly, giggling → Sc.
1897 GALDERING noisy, loud-talking, laughing loudly → Sc.
1898 — MISOGELASTIC hating laughter
1909 RIDIBUND inclined to laughter; happy, lively
1917 — CHUCKLESOME adj. humorous, amusing; full of laughter → colloq.
1935 IN STITCHES laughing uproariously → sl.
1940 ROLLING IN THE AISLES laughing; orig. applied to an audience’s uncontrollable laughter → sl.
1947 — BOFFO loud; said of a laugh → US sl.
2001 — ANTITHALIAN disapproving of laughter or festivity (Bk.)
2006 FRACTURED demolished by laughter → US sl. (Bk.)


ADVERBS
1822 GAFFAWINGLY in a manner causing hearty laughter → Sc.


NOUNS
1500 GAFF — GAWF a loud, boisterous laugh; a guffaw → Sc.
1593 LAUGHING-PEAL a peal of laughter → obs.
1623 CACHINNATION loud or immoderate laughter
1654 — TWITTERING a laughing, esp. in a somewhat suppressed or restrained manner, the sound of such laughter; tittering, giggling, sniggering
1685 GAFFA — GAFFAW a loud laugh, a guffaw → Sc.
1700 TWITTER a fit of laughter; a titter, a giggle → chiefly Eng. dial. & US
1703 GAUSTER hearty,  loud laughter → Eng. dial.
1725 RIDICULOSITY ridiculousness; a ridiculous matter; anything that arouses laughter; a jest or joke → rare or arch.
1728 TITTER a stifled laugh, a giggle
1734 VEIN a fit of laughter → obs.
1754 TITTERATION tittering, giggling
1797 HYSTERICALS a bout of overwhelming, uncontrollable emotion or agitation, esp. as a result of acute distress; now usually: uncontrollable laughter
..19C WERRICK a half-smothered laugh; a chuckle → Eng. dial.
1808 NICKER a snigger; a soft suppressed laugh → Sc. 
1819 KECKLING noisy laughter; giddy conduct → Sc.
1820 KECKLE a short, spasmodic laugh; a chuckle; a cackling, chattering → Sc.
1825 SMIRKLE a smile; a smirk; a suppressed laugh → Sc.
1828 — GELOTOMETER a gauge for measuring laughter
1830 NEIGHER a loud laugh → Sc.
1834 HAW-HAW a loud or boisterous laugh; a guffaw
1834 SNIRTLE a suppressed laugh; a sneer → Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
1836 GALDER a noisy vulgar laugh; a loud yell; noisy, foolish talk, chatter → Sc. & Eng. dial.
.M19 HEE-HAW a loud, coarse laugh → sl.
1858 TIFF a short outburst of laughter, etc.
1871 — SMUDGE a slight sign or indication of laughter, etc.
1880 GAFTER a loud laugh → Sc.
1882 SQUIRK a half-suppressed laugh; a sniggering
1892 HEART-SHOT a burst of laughter; a hearty fit → Sc. 
1894 RASP a harsh laugh → Eng. dial.
1898 CAHEEING loud laughter → Eng. dial. (Bk.)
1898 GALAFER — GALLAFER a prattling sound; a loud noise; a burst of laughter → Eng. dial.
1898 — GUFF a guffaw; a loud, sudden noise; a suppressed bark or snort → Sc.
..L19 HA-HA — HAH-HAH a laugh of ridicule or derision → sl.
1900DITHER a suppressed outburst of laughter, etc. → Eng. dial. (Bk.)
1904 HYSTERICS uncontrollable laughter; a bout of uncontrollable laughter
1905 HA-BA a roar of laughter; a shout; a blatant cry → Eng. dial. (Bk.)
1905 TICKLE BOX an imaginary organ of the body that causes uncontrollable laughter when turned over, tilted, or otherwise affected → Amer. dial.
1919 KEECHLE KEEGLE a short laugh → Sc.
1920 BELLY-SHAKING LAUGH a deep, sonorous laugh → sl.
1921 BELLY-LAUGH a deep reverberant laugh
1922 YAW-HAW a loud or rude laugh
1938 YOCK — YOK a laugh → theatrical sl., chiefly US
1942 BOFF a hearty laugh → US sl. (Bk.)
1949 — BOFFOLA — BUFFOLA a laugh, esp. a deep, loud laugh; a belly laugh → US sl.
1951 YACK — YAK a joke; a laugh → US sl.
1957 HAR-DE-HAR-HAR used as a vocalisation mocking laughter → US sl.
1960 JAZZ a cause for laughter → Amer. sl.
1962 LAFF a laugh → UK sl.
1971 YUCK — YUK a laugh → sl., chiefly US
1990 CACK a laugh → Aust. sl.
1990 TURKISH (BATH) a laugh → rhyming sl.
1992 BOFFO a laugh → US sl.
2003 KIFF-KAFF a modest, suppressed laugh → Trinidad and Tobago usage


NOUNS, PERSON
1340 GIGLET GIGLO GIGLOT a merry, light-hearted, laughing, romping girl; a giddy, silly, thoughtless girl
1340 HARLOT an itinerant jester, buffoon, or juggler; one who tells or does something to raise a laugh → obs.
1611 GIGGLE a giggling, laughing, romping girl → obs.
1626 AGELASTIC one who never laughs; one who is perpetually sad → obs.
1633 GIGGLER one who giggles; one who bursts into laughter at the least trifle; one very much inclined to laughter
1800 CACHINNATOR a loud or immoderate laugher →
1818 GRIZZLEDEMUNDY a term of abuse applied to a person who laughs at any trifling thing; a grinning fool; a stupid oaf → Eng. dial.
1825 GAWPIE a fool or simpleton, a stupid or silly person; one who gapes rudely; one who laughs without reason → Sc.
1828 TITTERER one who laughs restrainedly; a giggler
1841 GAFFAWER one who laughs loudly → Sc.
1847 GER-LAUGHTERS persons who laughed extravagantly and noisily → obs. (Bk.)
1862 GAFFAER a loud laugher → Sc.
1877 AGELAST one who never laughs
1886 GIGGLING-JENNY a child always laughing → Eng. dial. (Bk.)
1891 GIGGLET a laughing romp, a tomboy → Eng. dial. (Bk.)
1950 GELDER a person given to loud foolish laughter → Sc.
1988 GIGGLING GERTY a woman given to giggling, or behaving in a silly, giggling manner → Aust. sl. (Bk.)
2006GIG a giggle; a bit of laughter → Amer. sl. (Bk.)


PHRASES
1922 HAVE THEM ROLLING IN THE AISLES suggests a wildly enthusiastic reaction on the part of an audience, esp. uncontrollable laughter → colloq.
1927 HAVE THEM BLEEDING IN THE AISLES suggests a wildly enthusiastic reaction on the part of an audience, esp. uncontrollable laughter → colloq.


VERBS
1225 KENCH to laugh loudly → obs.
1275 — LAUGH SMERE to laugh lightly, merrily, or contemptuously → obs.
1513 KECKLE of a person: to chuckle, to laugh, to giggle
1560 LAUGH IN ONE’S SLEEVE to laugh to oneself; to nurse inward feelings of amusement
1590 SMIRKLE to smirk or smile; to giggle; to laugh in a suppressed manner → Sc.
1598
— CHUCK to laugh → obs.
1619 TITTER to laugh in a suppressed or covert way; to giggle
1654 — TWITTER to laugh in a somewhat suppressed or restrained way; to titter, to giggle, to snigger
1674 GAUSTER — GOWSTER GOYSTER to laugh noisily → Eng. dial.
1704 SPLIT ONE’S SIDES to laugh heartily
1719 GAFF — GAWF to laugh loudly and immoderately, to guffaw → Sc.
1721 GAFFA — GAFFAW to laugh heartily or boisterously, to guffaw → Sc. obs.
1721 — GOYLTER to laugh aloud → Eng. dial. obs.
1746
— GRIZZLE to grin or laugh, esp. mockingly → Eng. dial.
1766 GUFF to laugh immoderately at anything; to talk foolishly, to babble → Sc.
1782 KICKLE to laugh in a high-pitched or silly manner; to giggle; to chuckle → Sc.
1785 SNIRTLE to laugh in a quiet, suppressed, or restrained manner; to snigger; to sneer → Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
1792 — GOVERN ONE’S MUSCLES to refrain from smiling or laughing, to keep a straight face → obs.
..19C RUTTLE to laugh in a suppressed way → Eng. dial.
..19C SQUINNY to laugh broadly; to smile or wink → Amer.
1808 NICKER to laugh with a snickering sound, generally in a ridiculous manner; to snigger → Sc. 
1808 — SMUDGE to laugh quietly or to oneself → Sc. & Eng. dial.
1824 CACHINNATE to laugh loudly or immoderately 
1825 GAMF GAMPH to be foolishly merry; to laugh loudly → Sc. obs.
1825 GAMP to be foolishly merry, to laugh loudly; to mock, to mimic → Sc.
1825 GULE to flout, to sneer; to laugh, to make fun of, to jeer, to boast → Sc. & Eng. dial.
1826 NEIGHER to laugh loudly → Sc.
1834 HAW-HAW to laugh loudly or boisterously
1835 — LAUGHIFY to laugh at; to create laughter at → Sc.
1836 YAW-HAW to laugh rudely or noisily
1842 FIND A HAW-HAW’S NEST WITH A TEE-HEE’S EGG IN IT to giggle and laugh immoderately or inappropriately → Amer. dial.
1856 KILL to cause someone to laugh uproariously → UK sl.
1857 — HOTTER to shake with laughter → Sc.
1857 YOCHA — YOCH-YAW to laugh → Eng. dial.
1866 GALDER to laugh in a noisy, vulgar manner; to talk or sing boisterously; to speak in a loud, foolish manner; to bawl → Sc.
1880 MUCKCOOK to laugh behind one’s back → Brit. sl.
1885 GAGGLE to laugh immoderately; to cackle → Sc. & Eng. dial.
1885 — GOLDER to laugh in defiance; to laugh noisily → Eng. dial.
1887 NEESTER to snigger, to laugh in a suppressed fashion → Sc. 
1889 GOFFEN to laugh like an idiot → Eng. dial.
1892 WERRICK to give a half-smothered laugh; to chuckle → Eng. dial.
1893
— BLACKGUARD to laugh and talk gaily → Amer. dial.
1894 — CONTROL ONE’S MUSCLES to refrain from smiling or laughing, to keep a straight face → obs.
1895 BREAK SOMEONE UP to cause to laugh → sl., orig. US theatrical sl., chiefly US
1896 — CONNIP to laugh violently → Amer. dial.
..L19 GIVE SOMEONE THE HA-HA to laugh at, to ridicule and take advantage of → US sl.
..L19 KEEP A STRAIGHT FACE to restrain oneself from laughing → sl.
..20C LAUGH LIKE A CHIEF STOKER to laugh a raucous belly laugh → Royal Navy sl.
..20C TAKE ONE’S END to be convulsed with laughter → Irish sl.
1900 GAUMP to be foolishly merry, to laugh loudly; to mock, to mimic → Sc. (Bk.)
1901 KECK to cackle, to laugh → Eng. dial. (Bk.)
1902 LAITCH to be gay; to laugh, to titter → Eng. dial. (Bk.)
1904 REIR to laugh → Eng. dial. (Bk.)
1905 TICHER to laugh in a suppressed way; to titter → Sc. (Bk.)
1905 UDGE — URGE to shake convulsively with laughter, etc. → Eng. dial. (Bk.)
1905 YOFFA to laugh → Eng. dial. (Bk.)
1910 BREAK ONE’S FARTING STRING to lose control of one’s self and burst into hysterical laughing → sl.
1910 BREAK ONE’S PUCKERING STRING to lose control of one’s self and burst into hysterical laughing → sl.
1910
GEEK to mock, to jeer, to laugh at  → Ireland (Bk.)
1910 PEE ONESELF LAUGHING to laugh very heartily and/or long → sl.
1917 FIND A TEE-HEE’S NEST FULL OF HA-HA EGGS to giggle and laugh immoderately or inappropriately → Amer. dial.
1917 FIND A TEE-HEE’S NEST WITH A HA-HA’S EGG IN IT to giggle and laugh immoderately or inappropriately → Amer. dial.
1917 FIND A TEHEE’S EGG IN A HAHA’S NEST to giggle and laugh immoderately or inappropriately → Amer. dial.
1921 BUST ONE’S BUTTONS to strain one’s clothing by laughing too hard; to laugh very hard → Amer. dial.
1922 — CREASE to laugh uncontrollably; to collapse with laughter → Brit colloq.
1927 SLAY to overwhelm someone with delight, often convulsing them with laughter; to cause to laugh convulsively → sl.
1928 LAY THEM IN THE AISLES to get a wildly enthusiastic reaction, esp. uncontrollable laughter, on the part of an audience
1931 CACKLE to burst out laughing → Amer. sl.
1935 HAVE SOMEONE IN STITCHES to make them laugh uproariously → sl.
1936 SPLIT A GUT to hurt oneself by laughing too hard; to laugh hard → Amer. sl.
1938 YOCK — YOK to laugh → theatrical sl., chiefly US
1940 LAUGH LIKE A BROKEN HINGE to laugh uproariously → sl.
1942 CRACK UP to be highly amused; to laugh uncontrollably → sl., orig US
1942 GET THE BOFF to provoke laughter, to receive a good audience response → US sl. (Bk.)
1946 FALL OUT to burst out laughing; to be tickled by something funny → Amer. dial.
1946 FRACTURE to cause to laugh convulsively or with great amusement → sl., orig. theatrical usage
1948 LAUGH LIKE A DRAIN to chuckle or laugh heartily; to guffaw → UK sl.
1950 BURST ONE’S BUTTONS to strain one’s clothing by laughing too hard; to laugh very hard → Amer. dial.
1950 BUST A GUSSET to break out laughing; to laugh very hard → Amer. dial.
1950 BUST A GUT to hurt oneself by laughing too hard; to laugh very hard → Amer. dial.
1950 EXPLODE to suddenly burst forth in laughter → Amer. dial.
1950 SPLIT A GUSSET to break out laughing; to laugh very hard → Amer. dial.
1950 SPORTIFY to make people laugh, to amuse → W. Indies ​
1950 YACK — YAK to laugh → sl.
1951 PISS ONESELF to laugh so much that one urinates involuntarily → sl.
1953 — CRACK ONE’S SIDE(S) to hurt oneself with violent laughter → Amer. dial.
1956 KILL ONESELF to laugh → sl.
1959 FALL OUT LAUGHING to break up with mirth → Amer. sl.
1960 LAUGH ALL OVER ONESELF to laugh unrestrainedly → Amer. dial.
1965 BURST A GUT to hurt oneself by laughing too hard; to laugh very hard → Amer. dial.
1965 — CRACK A GUT to hurt oneself with violent laughter → Amer. dial.
1965 — CRACK A RIB to hurt oneself with violent laughter → Amer. dial.
1966 CRACK SOMEONE UP to cause to laugh → sl., orig. & chiefly US
1966 — HAVE A HAIRY COW to have a laughing fit → US students’ sl. (Bk.)
1967 BURST A HAME STRING — BUST A HAME STRING to laugh very hard → Amer. dial.
1967 FALL ABOUT to collapse in laughter; to laugh immoderately → sl., orig. US
1967 PLOTZ to laugh very hard; to split one’s seams, to die from laughter, etc. → Amer. dial.
1969 BUST A TRACE to laugh very hard → Amer. dial.
1969 BUST A TUG to laugh very hard → Amer. dial.
1969 GO OFF ONE’S FACE to collapse with laughter → sl.
1970 LAUGH ONE’S ASS OFF to laugh uproariously → sl.
1970 WET ONESELF to laugh so much that one urinates involuntarily → sl.
1974 YUCK — YUK to laugh → sl., chiefly Amer.
1975 —
SNAP to laugh; to mock or tease → US sl. (Bk.)
1977 CREASE — CREASE UP to laugh uncontrollably; to collapse with laughter  → sl.
1980 BAG UP to laugh very hard at something → African-American sl.
1980
HOOP IT UP to laugh, to cackle → US sl.
1981
— BREAK UP to collapse with laughter → Aust. colloq. (Bk.)
1987 CACK ONESELF CACK ONESELF (LAUGHING) to laugh uncontrollably → Aust. sl.
1990 CACK to joke, to have a laugh, to laugh → Aust. & US sl.
1996 LAUGH YOUR TITS OFF to laugh a great deal → UK sl.
1997 LAFF to laugh → UK sl.
2000 — BOBBLE HAT (AND SCARF) to laugh → UK sl. 
2000 LAUGH YOUR NUTS OFF to laugh uproariously → UK sl.
2001 LAUGH YOUR BOLLOCKS OFF to laugh uproariously → UK sl.
2006
HOWL to laugh very hard → US sl. (Bk.)
2007 BUBBLE-BATH to laugh → UK sl. (Bk.)