How to pronounce laughter
Say it like LAF-ter. Laughter has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LAF).
- LAF
- ter
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Laughter 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.
- terKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of laughter
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- British speakers use the long "ah" vowel of father where Americans use the "a" of cat.
British respelling: LAHF-tuh.
What does laughter mean?
- The sound of laughing, produced by air so expelled; any similar sound.“Their loud laughter betrayed their presence.”
- A movement (usually involuntary) of the muscles of the laughing face, particularly of the lips, and of the whole body, with a peculiar expression of the eyes, indicating merriment, satisfaction or derision, and usually attended by a sonorous and interrupted expulsion of air from the lungs.
Where does laughter come from?
From Middle English laughter, laghter, laȝter, from Old English hleahtor (“laughter, jubilation, derision”), from Proto-Germanic *hlahtraz (“laughter”), from Proto-Indo-European *klek-, *kleg- (“to shout”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with laughter
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of laughter.
Questions about saying laughter
How do you pronounce laughter?
Say LAF-ter. The American pronunciation is /ˈlæftɚ/. In British English it is /ˈlɑːftə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in laughter?
Laughter has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LAF). Broken into parts: LAF · ter.
Is laughter pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈlɑːftə/ (LAHF-tuh).