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laugh at

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phrasal verb [transitive]
Word Forms
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present tense
I/you/we/theylaugh at
he/she/itlaughs at
present participlelaughing at
past tenselaughed at
past participlelaughed at
  1. 1
    laugh at someone/something to say unkind things about someone or something that are intended to make them seem silly

    The other kids laughed at his haircut.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  laugh atThesaurus entry for this meaning of laugh at
    1. a.
      laugh at someone behind their back to say unkind things about someone when they are not there

      I always felt as though people were laughing at me behind my back.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  laugh atThesaurus entry for this meaning of laugh at
  2. 2
    laugh at something to behave in a way that shows you are not worried or frightened by something

    He’s always been able to laugh at danger.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  laugh atThesaurus entry for this meaning of laugh at
  3. 3
    laugh at yourself to not be too serious or sensitive about yourself and the things that you do

    In a culture that too often lacks perspective, these cartoons give Americans the chance to laugh at themselves.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  laugh atThesaurus entry for this meaning of laugh at

This is the American English definition of laugh at. View British English definition of laugh at.

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