English

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Etymology

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From Middle English lawghynge; equivalent to laugh +‎ -ing.

Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): /ˈlɑːfɪŋ/
  • Audio (US):(file)
  • Rhymes: -ɑːfɪŋ

Noun

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laughing (countable and uncountable, plural laughings)

  1. The action of the verb to laugh.

Verb

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laughing

  1. present participle and gerund of laugh

Usage notes

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As with other present participles, laughing can be used as an adjective:

The Laughing Cavalier
laughing hyena

Likewise, as with other gerunds, laughing can be used as a verbal noun:

Laughing could be heard all the way from the back of the room!

Synonyms

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Derived terms

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