Pronunciation: [lˈafd at] (IPA) 
The word "laughed at" is spelled with two syllables as "laft at" /læft æt/. The first syllable "laft" contains the vowel sound /æ/ as in "cat" and the consonants /l/ and /f/. The second syllable "at" contains the short vowel sound /æ/ again and the consonant /t/. The spelling of the word "laughed at" can be quite tricky as the sound /f/ is often represented by the letter "gh" in English, which is not the case here.
The phrase "laughed at" refers to the act of responding to someone or something with laughter, often expressing amusement, ridicule, or mockery. It involves the audible expression of amusement or enjoyment in response to a particular situation, statement, or event that is perceived as funny, entertaining, or absurd. When someone is laughed at, it means that others find amusement or humor in their words, actions, or appearance, often at the person's expense.
Being "laughed at" can evoke mixed emotions for the individual at the receiving end. While laughter can create a positive and lighthearted atmosphere, being laughed at may have negative connotations and implications of mockery, humiliation, or ridicule. This may occur when others perceive someone as foolish, awkward, or inadequate, resulting in their actions or characteristics becoming the subject of amusement. The intent behind being laughed at can vary, including harmless banter among friends or colleagues, as well as more harmful instances of bullying or discrimination.
It is important to note that being laughed at can have different interpretations depending on the context and personal sensitivities. Therefore, when using this phrase, it is necessary to consider the impact and potential consequences it may have on individuals' feelings and self-esteem.
The word "laughed at" is composed of two elements: "laughed" and "at".
The word "laughed" is derived from the Old English word "hlæhhan" or "hleahhan", which shares similar roots with other Germanic languages such as Old High German "hlachēn" and Old Norse "hlaða". The word evolved from Proto-Germanic *klahōną and ultimately from the Proto-Indo-European root *klak-, which represented the sound of laughter.
The preposition "at" comes from the Old English word "æt", which had various meanings, such as "near", "with", or "in the direction of". Over time, "æt" gradually became "at" and settled into its modern meaning as a preposition indicating a target or object of an action.
