guffaw

[ guh-faw, guh- ]
See synonyms for: guffawguffawedguffawing 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

Words Nearby guffaw

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

How to use guffaw in a sentence

  • When the Booker Prize was launched as the “British Goncourt” in 1969, it was met by a universal guffaw.

    Mantel Books the Booker | John Sutherland | October 6, 2009 | THE DAILY BEAST
  • She had an incredible laugh—something between a giggle and a guffaw.

    Saying Goodbye to Doc | Maryanne Vollers | June 26, 2009 | THE DAILY BEAST
  • At this the crowd roared with laughter, and now was the first shade of good-nature mixed with the guffaw.

  • Then luckily somebody laughed; and a general guffaw saved the situation.

    The Cradle of Mankind | W.A. Wigram
  • Politely veiled laughter greeted this sally, except from Dr. Wilson, who burst into an open guffaw.

    Love in a Cloud | Arlo Bates
  • Smith opened his head, and emitted as large a guffaw as he ever allowed himself to indulge in.

    The Luck of Gerard Ridgeley | Bertram Mitford
  • He gazed at Betty, then at the two dogs, uttered a light guffaw, and vanished round the corner.

    Betty Vivian | L. T. Meade

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