Ask Difference

Laugh vs. Lough — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 19, 2024
Laugh denotes an expression of amusement or joy, while lough is an Irish or Scottish term for a lake or an inlet of the sea.
Laugh vs. Lough — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Laugh and Lough

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Key Differences

Laugh refers to the act of expressing mirth, amusement, or derision through vocal sounds and facial movements, often spontaneously. Whereas lough, primarily used in Ireland and Scotland, describes a body of water, either a lake or a sea inlet, reflecting geographical and cultural terminology.
While laughing is a universal human experience, associated with happiness, social interactions, and sometimes nervousness, loughs are specific to certain landscapes, playing significant roles in local geography, culture, and ecology. Laugh, as an expression, can vary widely among individuals and cultures in sound and meaning, on the other hand, the term lough is consistent in its definition but varies in its significance and use depending on the local context.
Laughing serves numerous psychological and social functions, including reducing stress, strengthening social bonds, and signaling amusement. In contrast, loughs can have various practical and symbolic roles, from providing water resources to serving as historical or mythological sites.
The capacity to laugh is considered a distinctive aspect of human nature, signifying joy or amusement, whereas loughs, as geographic features, contribute to the natural beauty and biodiversity of their regions. Despite their different domains—emotion and expression versus geography and environment—both laugh and lough enrich human experience in unique ways.
Laughing not only influences individual health and well-being but also affects interpersonal dynamics, enhancing connections and communication. Loughs, on the other hand, influence local ecosystems, economies, and lifestyles, reflecting the interplay between natural landscapes and human societies.
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Comparison Chart

Definition

An expression of amusement or joy
An Irish or Scottish term for a lake or sea inlet

Domain

Human emotion and expression
Geography and environment

Cultural Significance

Universal, varies by context and culture
Specific to Ireland and Scotland, part of local identity

Function

Reduces stress, enhances social bonds, signals amusement
Provides water resources, supports biodiversity, cultural and historical significance

Variation

Varies in sound and intensity among individuals
Consistency in definition, varies in local significance

Compare with Definitions

Laugh

An expression indicating amusement.
She couldn't help but let out a laugh at the joke.

Lough

An Irish or Scottish term for a lake.
Lough Neagh is a large freshwater lake in Northern Ireland.

Laugh

The act of expressing mirth or joy through sounds and facial movements.
Her story made the whole room burst into laugh.

Lough

Used in place names to describe geographical features related to lakes or inlets.
Lough Corrib is renowned for its fishing.

Laugh

A sound of laughing.
His loud laugh filled the corridor.

Lough

A body of water, specifically an inlet of the sea, in Ireland or Scotland.
Lough Swilly is a beautiful sea lough in County Donegal.

Laugh

Something deemed amusing or laughable.
The play was a good laugh from start to finish.

Lough

A term reflecting the natural beauty of the Irish and Scottish landscapes.
The loughs of Connemara are breathtaking.

Laugh

To react with laughter.
We laugh at the comedian's clever wit.

Lough

A geographical feature significant in local culture and ecology.
The lough provided the village with fresh water and fish.

Laugh

To express certain emotions, especially mirth or delight, by a series of spontaneous, usually unarticulated sounds often accompanied by corresponding facial and bodily movements.

Lough

A lake.

Laugh

To show or feel amusement or good humor
An experience we would laugh about later on.

Lough

A bay or an inlet of the sea.

Laugh

To feel or express derision or contempt; mock
I had to laugh when I saw who my opponent was.

Lough

(Ireland) A lake or long, narrow inlet, especially in Ireland.

Laugh

To feel a triumphant or exultant sense of well-being
You won't be laughing when the truth comes out.

Lough

(Northumbria) lake, pool

Laugh

To produce sounds resembling laughter
Parrots laughing and chattering in the trees.

Lough

A loch or lake; - so spelt in Ireland.

Laugh

To affect or influence by laughter
Laughed the speaker off the stage.
Laughed the proposal down.

Lough

Of Laugh.

Laugh

To say with a laugh
He laughed his delight at the victory.

Lough

A long narrow (nearly landlocked) cove in Ireland

Laugh

The act of laughing.

Lough

Irish word for a lake

Laugh

The sound of laughing; laughter.

Laugh

(Informal) Something amusing, absurd, or contemptible; a joke
The solution they recommended was a laugh.

Laugh

Often laughs(Informal) Fun; amusement
Went along just for laughs.

Laugh

An expression of mirth particular to the human species; the sound heard in laughing; laughter.
His deep laughs boomed through the room.

Laugh

Something that provokes mirth or scorn.
Your new hat's an absolute laugh, dude.

Laugh

A fun person.

Laugh

(intransitive) To show mirth, satisfaction, or derision, by peculiar movement of the muscles of the face, particularly of the mouth, causing a lighting up of the face and eyes, and usually accompanied by the emission of explosive or chuckling sounds from the chest and throat; to indulge in laughter.
There were many laughing children running on the school grounds.

Laugh

To be or appear cheerful, pleasant, mirthful, lively, or brilliant; to sparkle; to sport.

Laugh

To make an object of laughter or ridicule; to make fun of; to deride; to mock.
Don't laugh at my new hat, man!

Laugh

(transitive) To affect or influence by means of laughter or ridicule.

Laugh

(transitive) To express by, or utter with, laughter.

Laugh

To show mirth, satisfaction, or derision, by peculiar movement of the muscles of the face, particularly of the mouth, causing a lighting up of the face and eyes, and usually accompanied by the emission of explosive or chuckling sounds from the chest and throat; to indulge in laughter.
Queen Hecuba laughed that her eyes ran o'er.
He laugheth that winneth.

Laugh

Fig.: To be or appear gay, cheerful, pleasant, mirthful, lively, or brilliant; to sparkle; to sport.
Then laughs the childish year, with flowerets crowned.
In Folly's cup still laughs the bubble Joy.
No wit to flatter left of all his store,No fool to laugh at, which he valued more.

Laugh

To express by, or utter with, laughter; - with out.
From his deep chest laughs out a loud applause.

Laugh

The sound of laughing

Laugh

A facial expression characteristic of a person laughing;
His face wrinkled in a silent laugh of derision

Laugh

A humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter;
He told a very funny joke
He knows a million gags
Thanks for the laugh
He laughed unpleasantly at hisown jest
Even a schoolboy's jape is supposed to have some ascertainable point

Laugh

Produce laughter

Common Curiosities

What is a lough?

A lough is an Irish or Scottish term for a lake or a sea inlet.

How do laugh and lough differ in their use?

Laugh is used to describe an expression of emotion, while lough is a geographical term related to bodies of water.

Can the meaning of laugh vary?

Yes, the expression and interpretation of laughter can vary widely among individuals and cultures.

What is the meaning of laugh?

Laugh refers to the act of expressing joy, amusement, or derision through vocal and facial expressions.

What are the health benefits of laughing?

Laughing has been linked to improved mental health, lowered stress levels, and enhanced immune function.

What significance do loughs hold?

Loughs hold ecological, cultural, and historical significance, providing water resources and serving as landmarks.

Can laughter be involuntary?

Yes, laughter can be both a voluntary and involuntary response to stimuli.

Are loughs found outside Ireland and Scotland?

The term lough is specific to Ireland and Scotland, though similar geographical features exist worldwide under different names.

How are loughs important to local ecosystems?

Loughs support biodiversity, offering habitats for various species and influencing local climate conditions.

Are loughs always freshwater?

Loughs can be either freshwater or saltwater, depending on their connection to the sea.

What role do loughs play in Irish and Scottish folklore?

Loughs often feature in folklore and mythology, embodying the cultural and mystical heritage of the regions.

What functions does laughing serve?

Laughing serves to reduce stress, strengthen social bonds, and signal amusement or derision.

Do all cultures have a concept of loughs?

While the concept of a body of water is universal, the specific term "lough" is unique to Irish and Scottish cultures.

Is laughing a learned behavior?

Laughing is considered both an innate and a socially learned behavior, evident from a young age.

How does context affect laughter?

The context can significantly influence the meaning and appropriateness of laughter, shaping its social function.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Tayyaba Rehman
Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj Arif
Urooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.

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