Learn How to Pronounce laugh

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laugh

Definition:

(nou) the sound of laughing (nou) a facial expression characteristic of a person laughing (nou) a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter

Phonetic Transcription:

lɑːf

Examples:

But there's also the snide laugh.

The men laugh condescendingly.

Children like to titter and laugh.

Learn more about:
laugh

Related Words:

smile

fun

happy

How to perfect your pronunciation of: laugh

Learn Individual Sounds

Break laugh down into individual sounds such as lɑːf. Practice these parts before you learn to say the whole word.

Copy Others

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Pick an Accent

Avoid mixing word pronunciations. If you’re learning American English, stick to it and try not to confuse yourself with British pronunciation.

Record Yourself

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Common mistakes of laugh pronunciation

Misplacing the vowel sound: Some learners pronounce "laugh" with a short "a" sound, like in "cat." This is incorrect; "laugh" should use the vowel sound /æ/ as in "cat." Tip: Practice saying "cat" and then transition to "laugh."
Ignoring the "gh": Many people overlook the "gh" in "laugh," pronouncing it as "laf." In both US /læf/ and UK /lɑːf/, the "gh" is silent. Tip: Focus on the "a" sound and remember the "gh" is not pronounced.
Stressing the wrong syllable: Some learners mistakenly stress the second syllable, saying "laugh" as /ˈlæf/. In reality, "laugh" is a one-syllable word with primary stress on the only syllable. Tip: Say "laugh" as one smooth sound to get the stress right.
Overemphasizing the "l": A common mistake is to make the "l" sound too strong, resulting in an unnatural pronunciation. The "l" in "laugh" should be clear but not overly pronounced. Tip: Relax your tongue while pronouncing the "l" to maintain a natural flow.
Mispronouncing in different accents: In some accents, "laugh" may sound different, like /lɑːf/ in UK English. Be aware of these variations, as they can affect understanding. Tip: Listen to native speakers from different regions to grasp these subtle differences.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "laugh" in American English?

In American English, "laugh" is pronounced as /læf/. The vowel sound is similar to the "a" in "cat," and the "gh" is silent.

What is the British pronunciation of "laugh"?

In British English, "laugh" is pronounced as /lɑːf/. The "a" is pronounced like the "a" in "father," and again, the "gh" is silent.

Does "laugh" have any silent letters?

Yes, in "laugh," the letters "gh" are silent. This means the word is pronounced as /læf/ in American English and /lɑːf/ in British English, without any sound for the "gh."

What common mistakes do people make when pronouncing "laugh"?

One common mistake is mispronouncing the vowel sound. Some might say /leɪf/ instead of /læf/ in American English or /lɑːf/, leading to confusion with words like "life."