How to pronounce laugh
Say it like LAF. Laugh is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
VoiceSpeed
US American/læf/LAF
UK British/lɑːf/LAHF
- LAF
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Laugh pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- LAFSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
American vs British pronunciation of laugh
- British speakers use the long "ah" vowel of father where Americans use the "a" of cat.
British respelling: LAHF.
What does laugh mean?
noun
- An expression of mirth particular to the human species; the sound heard in laughing; laughter.“His deep laughs boomed through the room.”
- Something that provokes mirth or scorn.“Your new hat's an absolute laugh, dude.”
- A fun person.“a good laugh”
- To show mirth, satisfaction, or derision, by peculiar movement of the muscles of the face, particularly of the mouth, causing a lighting up of the face and eyes, and usually accompanied by the emission of explosive or chuckling sounds from the chest and throat; to indulge in laughter.“There were many laughing children running on the school grounds.”
- To make an object of laughter or ridicule; to make fun of; to deride; to mock.“Don't laugh at my new hat, man!”
- To affect or influence by means of laughter or ridicule.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with laugh
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of laugh.
Questions about saying laugh
How do you pronounce laugh?
Say LAF. The American pronunciation is /læf/. In British English it is /lɑːf/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in laugh?
Laugh is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: LAF.
Is laugh pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. British speakers use the long "ah" vowel of father where Americans use the "a" of cat. The British form is /lɑːf/ (LAHF).