Definition

Verb: - To make fun of someone or something; to mock or ridicule. It involves treating a person, idea, or situation as silly or worthy of scorn, often by laughing or making jokes.

Usage

The verb "laugh at" is used with a direct object (a person or thing). It describes the action of directing laughter or mockery toward that object. - Structure: Subject + laugh at + object. - It often carries a negative connotation of disrespect or unkindness, though it can sometimes be used in a lighter, more playful context among friends.

Examples

• (Here, the laughter is directed at the comedian's performance, likely in a positive, appreciative way.)
• (This shows the negative, mocking usage.)

Advanced Usage

• "To be laughed at" (Passive Voice): To be the target of ridicule.
  • He was afraid of being laughed at for his unconventional ideas.
• Used to describe a dismissive or scornful attitude towards abstract concepts like fears or dangers.
  • They laughed at the warnings, thinking the storm wouldn't be serious.

Variants and Related Words

• Laughter (n): The act or sound of laughing.
• Laughable (adj): So ridiculous as to be amusing.
  • The proposal was so poorly researched it was laughable.

Synonyms

• Ridicule: To subject to contemptuous and dismissive language or behavior.
• Mock: To tease or laugh at in a scornful or contemptuous manner.
• Make fun of: To joke about or tease someone.
• Deride: To express contempt for; to ridicule.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Laugh off: To dismiss something (like criticism or a problem) by treating it lightly or with humor.
  • She tried to laugh off the embarrassing comment.

Related Idioms

• Don't make me laugh: Said to show that you think what someone has said is silly or impossible.
  • "You think you can beat me? Don't make me laugh!"
• Laugh all the way to the bank: To make a lot of money easily, especially when others thought you would fail.
  • After the success of his strange invention, he's laughing all the way to the bank.

Verb

1. subject to laughter or ridicule
   • The satirists ridiculed the plans for a new opera house
   • The students poked fun at the inexperienced teacher
   • His former students roasted the professor at his 60th birthday