How Do You Spell LAUGHTERLESS?

Pronunciation: [lˈaftələs] (IPA)

The word "laughterless" is spelled with two syllables, /ˈlæf.tə.ləs/. The first syllable is pronounced with a short "a" sound, as in "cat", followed by the consonant cluster "ft". The second syllable begins with a schwa sound, similar to the "uh" sound in "of", followed by the same consonant cluster "ft" and ending with the vowel "i" pronounced with a short "e" sound. "Laughterless" means without laughter or humor, suggesting a somber or serious tone.

LAUGHTERLESS Meaning and Definition

1. Laughterless is an adjective used to describe a situation, environment, or individual lacking the presence or occurrence of laughter. The term is derived from the noun "laughter," which refers to the act or sound of expressing amusement, joy, or happiness through vocalization. However, when combined with the suffix "-less," it negates the presence of laughter, indicating a lack or absence of this expression of mirth.

   The term "laughterless" is often used to describe a somber or serious atmosphere, devoid of humor or levity. It can be associated with situations or settings characterized by a lack of amusement, such as a solemn ceremony, a tense moment, or a sad occasion. A laughterless environment may imply a lack of joy, playfulness, or emotional connection, resulting in a more subdued or gloomy atmosphere.

   Additionally, "laughterless" can be applied to individuals who rarely or never exhibit or experience laughter, which may be due to various factors such as personal disposition, medical conditions, or psychological states. These individuals often display a serious or solemn demeanor, seldom displaying amusement or joviality.

   Overall, "laughterless" reflects the absence of laughter in either a specific context, environment, or an individual's behavior or emotional state.

2. Without laughter; to laugh at, to ridicule; to treat with contempt; to laugh in the sleeve, to laugh secretly, while apparently preserving a grave or serious demeanour towards the person laughed at; to laugh to scorn, to deride; to treat with mockery.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for LAUGHTERLESS

• kaughterless
• paughterless
• oaughterless
• lzughterless
• lsughterless
• lwughterless
• lqughterless
• layghterless
• lahghterless
• lajghterless
• laighterless
• la8ghterless
• la7ghterless
• laufhterless
• lauvhterless
• laubhterless
• lauhhterless
• lauyhterless
• lauthterless

Etymology of LAUGHTERLESS

The word "laughterless" is derived from combining the noun "laughter" with the suffix "-less".

The noun "laughter" originated from the Middle English word "laugh(t)er", which can be traced back to Old English "hleahtor" and Old Norse "hlaett", both meaning "loud laughter" or "glee". These Old English and Old Norse roots are thought to be influenced by Proto-Germanic "hlahjan" and Proto-Indo-European "kleh-", which also meant "laughter" or "to laugh".

The suffix "-less" is derived from Old English "-leas" or "-laes", which indicates the absence or lack of something. It has roots in Proto-Germanic "-lais", further connected to Proto-Indo-European "-loso" or "-nē".