To laugh is to make sounds and movements that show you find something funny or joyful. When you laugh, air bursts from your lungs in short gasps, your face breaks into a smile, and your whole body might shake. Some people have quiet, gentle laughs, while others laugh so hard they snort or can barely catch their breath.

Laughter is a natural human response that crosses all cultures and languages. Babies start laughing at around three or four months old, often before they can even speak. Scientists believe we laugh at jokes, to bond with others, and to release tension. When a whole classroom erupts in laughter at something hilarious, everyone feels connected by that shared moment of joy.

The word can also mean to dismiss something as ridiculous. If your friend suggests wearing a swimsuit to school in January, you might laugh at the idea. When someone says “don't make me laugh,” they mean “that's so absurd I can't take it seriously.”

People describe different types of laughter in vivid ways: a belly laugh comes from deep inside, a giggle sounds light and bubbly, and a chuckle is quieter and gentler. Whatever form it takes, laughter remains one of the best parts of being human.