laugh at

To laugh because someone or something is funny.

• We laughed at his joke.
• The children are laughing at the silly cartoon.
• What are you laughing at?

How to use it: laugh at someone/something (Everyone laughed at the funny story.)

Common phrases: laugh at jokes, laugh at something, laugh at stories

To treat someone as silly or not worth respecting, often by making fun of them.

• Do not laugh at me.
• Some classmates laughed at his accent.
• She hated being laughed at when she made mistakes.

How to use it: laugh at someone/something (The boys laughed at her old shoes.)

Similar words: mock, make fun of, ridicule

Common phrases: laugh at someone, laugh at mistakes, laugh at accents

To treat something as unimportant or too weak to worry about.

• He laughs at danger.
• The company laughed at the threat of a tiny fine.
• Experienced climbers do not laugh at weather warnings.

How to use it: laugh at something (Rich offenders may laugh at such small fines.)

Similar words: dismiss, disregard, scoff at

Common phrases: laugh at danger, laugh at threats, laugh at something