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Laugh vs. Smile: Know the Difference

Shumaila Saeed
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Laughing is a vocal expression of amusement or joy, often involving a series of rhythmic, audible vocal outbursts, while smiling is a quiet, facial expression of happiness, amusement, or kindness, primarily shown by upturning the corners of the mouth.
Laugh vs. Smile

Key Differences

Laughing typically involves a series of vocal sounds and is often an involuntary reaction to humor or joy. It can vary in intensity from a gentle chuckle to a loud guffaw. Smiling, on the other hand, is a silent expression, primarily shown by the movement of facial muscles, particularly those around the mouth. Smiles can range from a slight upturn of the lips to a broad, beaming smile.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 01, 2023
Laughter is considered a social signal, often occurring in group settings as a way to bond or share in a humorous experience. It's not just a human trait; some animals are also believed to laugh. Smiling, while also social, can be both a conscious and subconscious response, reflecting a variety of emotions including happiness, politeness, or even nervousness.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 01, 2023
The physical act of laughing engages multiple muscle groups and can have health benefits, like stress reduction. It triggers the release of endorphins, promoting an overall sense of well-being. Smiling, too, has health benefits, including reducing heart rate and relaxing the body, and it's often used to convey warmth and approachability.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 01, 2023
In communication, laughter can serve as a response to humor or a way to ease tension. It's often contagious and can help lighten a serious atmosphere. Smiling serves as a universal sign of goodwill, transcending language and cultural barriers. It can be a form of non-verbal communication indicating friendliness, approval, or empathy.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 01, 2023
While laughter is typically a spontaneous reaction, it can also be faked or forced in social situations. Similarly, smiles can be both genuine and insincere, used as a social mask or to conform to social etiquette. Both laughing and smiling play crucial roles in human interactions, influencing social bonding, and emotional expression.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 01, 2023
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Comparison Chart

Nature

Auditory and vocal.
Visual and silent.
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Dec 01, 2023

Expression

Involves vocalization and sound.
Involves facial muscles, no sound.
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Dec 01, 2023

Social Context

Often shared in groups, contagious.
Can be individual or social.
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Dec 01, 2023

Emotional Association

Primarily joy, amusement.
Happiness, kindness, nervousness.
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Dec 01, 2023

Control

Less controllable, spontaneous.
More controllable, can be deliberate.
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Dec 01, 2023
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Laugh and Smile Definitions

Laugh

Laughing is an audible indication of joy or pleasure.
They laughed together in joy at the reunion.
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Shumaila Saeed
Dec 01, 2023

Smile

A smile is a facial expression indicating happiness or pleasure.
Her smile brightened the room.
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Shumaila Saeed
Dec 01, 2023

Laugh

Laughing often occurs in social settings, enhancing bonding.
Their laughter filled the room, creating a warm atmosphere.
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Shumaila Saeed
Dec 01, 2023

Smile

Smiling is often a sign of friendliness and approachability.
He greeted them with a warm smile.
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Shumaila Saeed
Dec 01, 2023

Laugh

Laughing can be a spontaneous physical reaction to stimuli.
The tickling made the child laugh uncontrollably.
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Shumaila Saeed
Dec 01, 2023
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Smile

Smiling can be used to comfort or reassure others.
She smiled reassuringly at her friend in distress.
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Shumaila Saeed
Dec 01, 2023

Laugh

Laughing is a vocal expression of amusement or happiness.
She laughed heartily at the joke.
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Shumaila Saeed
Dec 01, 2023

Smile

A smile can be a response to something pleasurable or enjoyable.
She smiled at the memory of the beach.
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Shumaila Saeed
Dec 01, 2023

Laugh

Laughing is a common response to humor or funny situations.
He laughed loudly at the comic's witty remark.
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Shumaila Saeed
Dec 01, 2023

Smile

Smiling serves as a form of non-verbal communication, conveying emotions.
His smile conveyed his approval.
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Shumaila Saeed
Dec 01, 2023

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.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Smile

A facial expression characterized by an upward curving of the corners of the mouth and indicating pleasure, amusement, or derision.
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Laugh

To show or feel amusement or good humor
An experience we would laugh about later on.
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Smile

To have or form a smile.
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Laugh

To feel or express derision or contempt; mock
I had to laugh when I saw who my opponent was.
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Smile

To look with favor or approval
Fortune smiled on our efforts.
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Laugh

To feel a triumphant or exultant sense of well-being
You won't be laughing when the truth comes out.
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Smile

To express cheerful acceptance or equanimity
We smiled at the bad weather and kept going.
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Laugh

To produce sounds resembling laughter
Parrots laughing and chattering in the trees.
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Smile

To express with a smile
Grandmother smiled her consent.
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Laugh

To affect or influence by laughter
Laughed the speaker off the stage.
Laughed the proposal down.
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Smile

A facial expression comprised by flexing the muscles of both ends of one's mouth, often showing the front teeth, without vocalisation, and in humans is a common involuntary or voluntary expression of happiness, pleasure, amusement, goodwill, or anxiety.
She's got a perfect smile.
He has a sinister smile.
She had a smile on her face.
He always puts a smile on my face.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Laugh

To say with a laugh
He laughed his delight at the victory.
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Smile

(figurative) Favour; propitious regard.
The smile of the gods
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Laugh

The act of laughing.
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Smile

A drink bought by one person for another.
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Laugh

The sound of laughing; laughter.
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Smile

(ambitransitive) To have (a smile) on one's face.
When you smile, the whole world smiles with you.
I don't know what he's smiling about.
She smiles a beautiful smile.
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Laugh

(Informal) Something amusing, absurd, or contemptible; a joke
The solution they recommended was a laugh.
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Smile

(transitive) To express by smiling.
To smile consent, or a welcome
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Laugh

Often laughs(Informal) Fun; amusement
Went along just for laughs.
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Smile

(intransitive) To express amusement, pleasure, or love and kindness.
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Laugh

An expression of mirth particular to the human species; the sound heard in laughing; laughter.
His deep laughs boomed through the room.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Smile

(intransitive) To look cheerful and joyous; to have an appearance suited to excite joy.
The sun smiled down from a clear summer sky.
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Laugh

Something that provokes mirth or scorn.
Your new hat's an absolute laugh, dude.
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Smile

(intransitive) To be propitious or favourable; to countenance.
The gods smiled on his labours.
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Laugh

A fun person.
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Smile

To express amusement, pleasure, moderate joy, or love and kindness, by the features of the face; to laugh silently.
He doth nothing but frown. . . . He hears merry tales and smiles not.
She smiled to see the doughty hero slain.
When last I saw thy young blue eyes, they smiled.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

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.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Smile

To express slight contempt by a look implying sarcasm or pity; to sneer.
'T was what I said to Craggs and Child,Who praised my modesty, and smiled.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Laugh

To be or appear cheerful, pleasant, mirthful, lively, or brilliant; to sparkle; to sport.
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Smile

To look gay and joyous; to have an appearance suited to excite joy; as, smiling spring; smiling plenty.
The desert smiled,And paradise was opened in the wild.
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

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!
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Smile

To be propitious or favorable; to favor; to countenance; - often with on; as, to smile on one's labors.
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Laugh

(transitive) To affect or influence by means of laughter or ridicule.
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Smile

To express by a smile; as, to smile consent; to smile a welcome to visitors.
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Laugh

(transitive) To express by, or utter with, laughter.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Smile

To affect in a certain way with a smile.
And sharply smile prevailing folly dead.
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

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.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Smile

The act of smiling; a peculiar change or brightening of the face, which expresses pleasure, moderate joy, mirth, approbation, or kindness; - opposed to frown.
Sweet intercourseOf looks and smiles: for smiles from reason flow.
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

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.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Smile

A somewhat similar expression of countenance, indicative of satisfaction combined with malevolent feelings, as contempt, scorn, etc; as, a scornful smile.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Laugh

To affect or influence by means of laughter or ridicule.
Will you laugh me asleep, for I am very heavy?
I shall laugh myself to death.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Smile

Favor; countenance; propitiousness; as, the smiles of Providence.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Laugh

To express by, or utter with, laughter; - with out.
From his deep chest laughs out a loud applause.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Smile

Gay or joyous appearance; as, the smiles of spring.
The brightness of their [the flowers'] smile was gone.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Laugh

The sound of laughing
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Smile

A facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Laugh

A facial expression characteristic of a person laughing;
His face wrinkled in a silent laugh of derision
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Smile

Change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

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
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Smile

Express with a smile;
She smiled her thanks
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Laugh

Produce laughter
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Repeatedly Asked Queries

What triggers laughter?

Laughter is typically triggered by humor, joy, or amusement.
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Shumaila Saeed
Dec 01, 2023

Is laughter a learned behavior?

Laughter is both innate and influenced by social factors.
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Shumaila Saeed
Dec 01, 2023

Can laughter be involuntary?

Yes, laughter often occurs spontaneously and involuntarily.
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Shumaila Saeed
Dec 01, 2023

Can animals laugh?

Some animals are believed to exhibit laughter-like behaviors.
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Shumaila Saeed
Dec 01, 2023

Are there health benefits to laughing?

Yes, laughing can reduce stress and increase endorphins.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 01, 2023

What does a smile signify?

A smile can signify happiness, friendliness, or comfort.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 01, 2023

Does smiling affect mood?

Yes, smiling can positively influence one's mood and reduce stress.
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Shumaila Saeed
Dec 01, 2023

Why do we laugh in groups?

Laughter in groups enhances bonding and shared experiences.
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Shumaila Saeed
Dec 01, 2023

Can smiling be involuntary?

Smiling can be both a natural reaction and a conscious action.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 01, 2023

What's the difference between genuine and fake laughter?

Genuine laughter is spontaneous and natural, while fake laughter is deliberate and often used for social reasons.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 01, 2023

Is smiling universal across cultures?

While its interpretation can vary, smiling is generally recognized worldwide.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 01, 2023

Is smiling a form of communication?

Smiling is an important non-verbal form of communicating emotions.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 01, 2023

Can smiles be misinterpreted?

Yes, smiles can be misinterpreted depending on the context and culture.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 01, 2023

Do babies smile instinctively?

Babies smile instinctively, often as early as a few weeks old.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 01, 2023

Can smiling be a social cue?

Yes, smiling often serves as a social cue for friendliness or agreement.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 01, 2023

Can laughter be therapeutic?

Yes, laughter therapy is used to improve mental and emotional health.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 01, 2023

Is it possible to laugh without humor?

Yes, laughter can occur in response to various emotional states, not just humor.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 01, 2023

Are there different types of smiles?

Yes, there are various types of smiles, each conveying different emotions.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 01, 2023

Can a smile influence others?

Yes, a smile can have a positive impact on others, often being contagious.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 01, 2023

What are the physical effects of smiling?

Smiling can relax the body, lower heart rate, and reduce stress.
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Shumaila Saeed
Dec 01, 2023

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About Author
Shumaila Saeed
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Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.

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