Laugh at
verb
To show amusement or ridicule by laughing towards someone or something.
People often laugh at my funny jokes.
Often appears as...
- laugh at a joke
- laugh at oneself
verb
To have no effect or insignificant effect.
The old carvings laugh at the wind and weather.
Often appears as...
- laugh at the rain
- laugh at the storm
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
To feel or express scorn or contempt for something or someone.
You shouldn't laugh at people's misfortunes.
Often appears as...
- laugh at someone's mishap
- laugh at misfortune
Usage tips
Disapproving
verb
To show amusement or ridicule by laughing towards someone or something.
People often laugh at my funny jokes.
Often appears as...
- laugh at a joke
- laugh at oneself
verb
To have no effect or insignificant effect.
The old carvings laugh at the wind and weather.
Often appears as...
- laugh at the rain
- laugh at the storm
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
To feel or express scorn or contempt for something or someone.
You shouldn't laugh at people's misfortunes.
Often appears as...
- laugh at someone's mishap
- laugh at misfortune
Usage tips
Disapproving
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Intent Matters
Understand whether 'laugh at' indicates simple amusement or an intention to mock or make fun of.
When she slipped on the ice, her friends laughed at her.
Pro Tip 2/3Cultural Sensitivity
Be aware that laughing at someone can be considered rude or hurtful in many cultures.
He didn't realize it was rude to laugh at someone's accent.
Pro Tip 3/3Self-Deprecation
'Laugh at oneself' shows the ability to be funny or light-hearted about one's own mistakes.
She could laugh at herself for forgetting the words to her song.
Pro Tip 1/3Intent Matters
Understand whether 'laugh at' indicates simple amusement or an intention to mock or make fun of.
When she slipped on the ice, her friends laughed at her.
Pro Tip 2/3Cultural Sensitivity
Be aware that laughing at someone can be considered rude or hurtful in many cultures.
He didn't realize it was rude to laugh at someone's accent.
Pro Tip 3/3Self-Deprecation
'Laugh at oneself' shows the ability to be funny or light-hearted about one's own mistakes.
She could laugh at herself for forgetting the words to her song.
Pro Tip 1/3Intent Matters
Understand whether 'laugh at' indicates simple amusement or an intention to mock or make fun of.
When she slipped on the ice, her friends laughed at her.
Pro Tip 2/3Cultural Sensitivity
Be aware that laughing at someone can be considered rude or hurtful in many cultures.
He didn't realize it was rude to laugh at someone's accent.
Pro Tip 3/3Self-Deprecation
'Laugh at oneself' shows the ability to be funny or light-hearted about one's own mistakes.
She could laugh at herself for forgetting the words to her song.
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