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Glite Dictionary
to roll about in laughter

to roll about in laughter

3.3
Feel so amused that you fall over and move on the floor
  • idiom
  • Informal
translation icon : reírse sin parar
  • She told such a funny story that everyone began to roll about in laughter.

Examples

  • The children would roll about in laughter every time the clown performed a silly trick.

  • Don't roll about in laughter during the serious meeting!

  • At the comedy show, the audience started to roll about in laughter after the punchline.

  • The kids rolled about in laughter after the funny joke.

  • At the comedy show, the audience started to roll about in laughter after the punchline.

  • She told such a funny story that everyone began to roll about in laughter.

  • The children would roll about in laughter every time the clown performed a silly trick.

Synonyms

to crack up
vsto roll about in laughter
  • Informal
18 3.5

To laugh loudly and without control

is similar in loss of control but adds physical thrashing or rolling
to burst out laughing
vsto roll about in laughter
  • Informal
8 2.4

To suddenly start laughing loudly and not be able to stop

is similar in sudden loss of control but lasts with physical movement
to laugh one's head off
vsto roll about in laughter
  • Informal
1 3.5

To make loud sounds you cannot stop because something is very funny

is similar in force but more about moving and writhing physically
to rolf
vsto roll about in laughter
  • Slang
1 9.7

To laugh very hard at something funny online

is like this strong reaction but specifically involves rolling or writhing
to fall off one's chair
vsto roll about in laughter
  • Informal
1 6.4

To react strongly because something is very funny or surprising

is more about ongoing physical rolling and uncontrolled movement from mirth
to giggle uncontrollably
vsto roll about in laughter
1 4.0

To laugh in a way you cannot stop because you find something very funny or feel embarrassed

is much stronger and involves heavy physical writhing rather than light sounds
to convulse with laughter
vsto roll about in laughter
4.5

Laugh so hard that your body shakes

is similarly uncontrolled but adds writhing and rolling body movement
to gag with laughter
vsto roll about in laughter
  • Informal
6.5

To laugh so hard you almost choke

is equally intense but focuses on writhing and moving around
to bellylaugh
vsto roll about in laughter
  • Informal
5.2

Laugh loudly and deeply, making your stomach move

is comparable in bodily expression but more about moving around wildly
to cachinnate
vsto roll about in laughter
  • Archaic
9.9

To laugh loudly and without control

is equally unrestrained but emphasizes physical rolling and writhing

Antonyms

to hold back one's laughter
3.7

To stop yourself from making a sound when something is funny

How Amused

to roll about in laughter
  • Informal
3.3
to roar
17 2.4
to laugh
∞ 1.0
to chuckle
237 2.0
to smile
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

roll about in laughter infinitive
rolled about in laughter past
rolled about in laughter past participle
rolling about in laughter present participle
rolls about in laughter third person singular

Morphology

roll + about + in + laughter

The meaning is directly built from the constituents: 'roll' (move by turning), 'about' (around), and 'in laughter' (while laughing), so the image of moving/rolling around while laughing intensely is compositional and predictable. This construction parallels common expressions in many languages (e.g. 'roll on the floor laughing' equivalents), so a B1 learner who knows the words would readily infer the meaning.

Etymology

Roll about in laughter comes from the picture of people laughing so hard they actually roll about on the floor or in their seats. So it now means 'to laugh without stopping'.