guffaw

[ guh-faw, guh- ]
See synonyms for guffaw on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. a loud, unrestrained burst of laughter.

verb (used without object)
  1. to laugh loudly and boisterously.

Origin of guffaw

1
First recorded in 1710–20; perhaps imitative

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use guffaw in a sentence

  • Chasing close behind the musical contagion of his deep guffaws followed the softer, gentler giggle of the dainty pink-veiled lady.

    Molly Make-Believe | Eleanor Hallowell Abbott
  • The mere sight of a loaf of bread anywhere was enough to evoke guffaws.

    Bread Overhead | Fritz Reuter Leiber
  • They were the butts of a prank that no doubt had been the source of many guffaws.

    The Planet Strappers | Raymond Zinke Gallun
  • Edward Henry gave vent to one of those cordial and violent guffaws which are a specialty of the humorous side of the Five Towns.

    The Regent | E. Arnold Bennett
  • And then with loud guffaws of laughter they passed and tilted the flask, and hobbled away arm-in-arm.

    The Code of the Mountains | Charles Neville Buck

British Dictionary definitions for guffaw

guffaw

/ (ɡʌˈfɔː) /


noun
  1. a crude and boisterous laugh

verb
  1. to laugh crudely and boisterously or express (something) in this way

Origin of guffaw

1
C18: of imitative origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012