contagious laugh
1
3.2
- noun
:
risa contagiosa
- Whenever she bursts into a contagious laugh, everyone around her can't help but join in.
Examples
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She always had a smile on her face and had the best and most contagious laugh.
Blog text (27) -
Jean-Jacques laughed again, a deep, earthy, contagious laugh.
Fiction book (1999) -
She had a contagious laugh like a waterfall, the tonic laughter of a healthy and self-confident person.
Fiction book (1997) -
That twinkle in his eye and crooked smile, his hearty and contagious laugh could brighten anyone's day.
Blog text (1) -
His contagious laugh filled the room, instantly lifting everyone's spirits.
-
At the party, her contagious laugh spread joy, making it impossible for anyone to remain serious.
Synonyms
A happy sound that makes other people laugh
Antonyms
How Contagious
1
3.2
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a laugh that easily causes others to start laughing' follows directly from combining 'contagious' (capable of being spread) with 'laugh' (the sound/act of amusement). Although 'contagious' is often literal for disease, its metaphorical extension to emotions/behaviors (e.g., contagious smile, contagious mood) is widespread and predictable, so a B1 learner who knows both words would readily infer the MWE meaning.
Etymology
The phrase contagious laugh comes from the image of a laugh that spreads like a cold: when one person laughs, others 'catch' it and start laughing too. That's why it means 'a laugh that easily makes other people laugh'.