Guffaw

A guffaw is a loud, unrestrained burst of laughter. It often signifies amusement, delight, or even sometimes, derision. More than a simple chuckle, a guffaw is a boisterous, hearty sound, characterized by its intensity and the lack of control displayed by the person laughing. The sound is often deep-throated and full, suggesting genuine and often overwhelming merriment or, on occasion, contempt or mockery depending on the situation in which it is used. The action of guffawing frequently involves physical manifestations like a head thrown back or clapping one's hands.

Guffaw meaning with examples

• The comedian's joke about the politician's toupee triggered a collective guffaw from the audience, echoing through the theater. Everyone was laughing together. Some even clapped. The humor, though slightly exaggerated, had landed perfectly, leaving everyone in stitches.
• Upon realizing he'd accidentally worn mismatched socks to the formal event, he let out a self-deprecating guffaw. The error was obvious, but he managed to find the funny side of his mistake and continued to enjoy the evening.
• After witnessing the clumsy waiter spill an entire tray of drinks, the man at the table guffawed, trying to contain himself but failing. His initial reaction was amusement at the other man's blunder. He immediately felt awful though.
• The unexpected punchline to the story about the talking dog provoked a guffaw from his friend, loud enough to startle a nearby cat. It was such a funny story. His friend could not stop laughing, which of course encouraged more laughter.
• She offered a genuine guffaw after her friend told her the long, outlandish story. Her reaction was purely in response to the friend's storytelling and the amusing details he had included. She loved how her friend told stories.