Are you writing a scene in which a character finds an incident hilariously funny? Learn how to describe someone laughing in a story using the following 10 great words below.
1. Guffawing
Definition
Forceful, energetic laughter.
Examples
“He found the joke so funny that his guffawing could be heard across the room.”
“She was bent over with laughter, guffawing so hard her whole body shook.”
How it Adds Description
Guffaw is the sound a person makes when they are laughing so hard that their body shakes. Use guffawing to show that a person’s laughter is so loud and full of joy that it fills the room. Guffawing is also good for describing a laugh that might encourage others to laugh because it is so loud and fun.
2. Chortling
Definition
A particularly happy or pleased laugh with an almost strangled sound.
Examples
“He chortled throughout the entire film, causing others to stare at him in annoyance.”
“‘What a great idea!’ she chortled sarcastically, ‘I bet everyone would love to do ten more hours of work.’”
How it Adds Description
As another sound word, chortle helps your reader hear the kind of laughter the character is creating. Chortle is also a good word to describe laughter that is particularly annoying or throaty and comes out in short notes; it almost sounds like the character is saying ‘chortle’ with their laughter.
3. Bursting
Definition
- To suddenly express a great emotion.
- To force open or out.
Examples
“She could help but burst with laughter when the poor cat fell off the open door; it was the funniest thing she’d seen all day.”
“The little boy couldn’t help it anymore and burst out laughing, tears streaming from his face.”
How it Adds Description
Describing a character as bursting with laughter shows that they were not expecting to laugh but did anyway. This way of describing laughter emphasizes more the reason for their laughter rather than the type of laughter they had.
4. Howling
Definition
- A loud sound similar to a howl.
- Very abundant or prominent.
Examples
“She couldn’t help but howl with laughter at such a crude joke.”
“His insults left the group of children howling with laughter at the bully’s expense.”
How it Adds Description
Howling is another good sound word to describe the sound of laughter. It suggests that whatever caused the laughter is either so funny or so extreme that the character’s laugh has come out sounding like a mating call of sorts, the same way a coyote or dog might howl to attract attention.
5. Chuckling
Definition
A quiet, gentle sound of suppressed merriment.
Examples
“I chuckled softly as I watched my little girl play with her dolls.”
“After the email went out, a quiet chuckling could be heard at various cubicles throughout the office.”
How it Adds Description
When people are only slightly amused, they usually chuckle, often with their hand in front of their mouths. It’s a type of laughter that’s barely more than a smile. Therefore, it is a good descriptive word to show what the character sounds like when they’re trying to keep their laugh quiet because they don’t want to be heard, like in a meeting or classroom.
6. Giggling
Definition
Short, quieter bubbles of laughter.
Examples
“The little girls were giggling uncontrollably throughout the entire movie.”
“I was so embarrassed that I couldn’t help but giggle; otherwise, I might have cried.”
How it Adds Description
Giggle is another sound word to describe a type of laughter. Giggling usually often comes from a feeling of embarrassment or shame. It’s a very distinctive sound, almost like little bubbles originating from the back of the throat, so using giggle to describe how someone is laughing allows your reader to practically hear it for themselves.
7. Roaring
Definition
- Loud or booming.
- With great power.
Examples
“He could be heard roaring with laughter from down the hallway.”
“The comedy was a success; the entire movie theater kept breaking into roaring laughter every five minutes or so.”
How it Adds Description
Like a lion roaring, roaring laughter suggests that the laughter is loud and deep. Use this to describe a belly laugh, or from someone with a deep voice laughing at something they truly found funny (instead of just laughing for the sake of it).
8. In stitches
Definition
- Sharp pain in the side.
- Feeling of overwhelming laughter.
Examples
“We were in stitches reminiscing about all the funny things we used to get up to at college.”
“Fox’s ridiculous laugh put us all in stitches because it was so silly; we couldn’t stop laughing, even if we tried.”
How it Adds Description
When someone is in stitches, they have been laughing for so long that they are physically in pain; the act of laughing has caused a stitch, or sharp pain, in their side. This is a good phrase to show that the character is enjoying themselves so much that they can’t stop laughing, no matter how hard they try.
9. Snickering
Definition
A deliberately quieted or stifled laugh.
Examples
“He couldn’t help but snicker at the ridiculous costume; she was going to be made fun of by everyone.”
“The joke was so horrible that we all snickered; puns are the worst.”
How it Adds Description
A snicker is another soft laugh, like a giggle or a chuckle, but with more negative or mean undertones. People usually snicker at things they find ridiculous or pitiful, in a ‘it’s funny because it’s sad’ way. Using snicker will show your reader that the character doesn’t appreciate or respect whatever is causing them to laugh.
10. Cracking up
Definition
Laughing aloud rowdily.
Examples
“I smiled at the way my son used funny voices to make his little sister crack up.”
“The stand-up comedian had the audience cracking up with his jokes about his childhood.”
How it Adds Description
Much like bursting or in stitches, using crack up describes more the level of a person’s laughter rather than what it sounds like. Use crack up to show that your characters found whatever it is so funny that they are going to go crazy with joy. They almost can’t help but to laugh.