Definition

1. Noun:

   • A loud, unrestrained burst of laughter: A guffaw is a deep, hearty, and often boisterous laugh, typically sudden and loud.

2. Verb:

   • To laugh loudly and heartily: To guffaw is to emit a loud, boisterous, and uninhibited laugh.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • His joke was met with a loud guffaw from the audience.
  • A single guffaw echoed through the quiet library.

• Verb:

  • The entire room guffawed at the comedian's story.
  • He couldn't help but guffaw when he saw the silly costume.

Advanced Usage

• "to let out a guffaw": to suddenly produce a loud laugh.

  • She tried to stay serious but finally let out a guffaw.

• "a guffaw of laughter": a loud burst of laughter (this phrasing emphasizes the sound).

  • A guffaw of laughter erupted from the back of the class.

Variants and Related Words

• Guffawing (noun/gerund): The act of laughing boisterously.
  • The constant guffawing made it hard to hear the speaker.

Synonyms

• Roar (of laughter): A very loud, deep laugh.
• Belly laugh: A deep, hearty laugh that comes from the stomach.
• Howl (with laughter): To laugh very loudly and uncontrollably.

Antonyms

• Chuckle: A quiet, suppressed laugh.
• Giggle: A light, silly, often high-pitched laugh.
• Smirk: A smug, conceited, or silly smile.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "To burst into guffaws": To suddenly start laughing very loudly.
  • The mispronunciation was so funny that the crowd burst into guffaws.

Noun

1. a burst of deep loud hearty laughter

Verb

1. laugh boisterously