laugher

Laugher is a noun formed from the verb laugh with the agent suffix -er. In English, the term is uncommon and largely found in informal or humorous contexts. It has two potential senses: a) a person who laughs, especially someone who laughs easily or loudly; b) a thing that induces laughter, such as a joke or humorous incident described as a “laugher.” In most contemporary usage, speakers would instead say “one who laughs” or “a source of laughter.”

Etymology and usage notes: The word follows a standard English pattern for agent nouns, but it is rarely used outside playful or archaic contexts. More precise terms include using “laugher” only in jokes or cartoons; for the thing causing laughter, words such as “humor,” “gag,” or “joke” are preferred. The term appears mainly in historical texts or lighthearted writing intended to evoke old-fashioned diction.

Examples: “The party included several laughers, each story provoking renewed chuckles.” “That punchline makes him a real laugher, always drawing a crowd.”

See also: laughter, humor, comedian, guffaw.