Similes are a powerful tool in both writing and everyday conversations. They make our language more vivid, engaging, and relatable by comparing one thing to another using “like” or “as.”
A well-chosen simile can evoke a clear image or emotion, whether it’s to emphasize someone’s bravery or to describe the speed of a racecar.
For example, “As brave as a lion” makes courage come alive, while “As sharp as a tack” vividly highlights someone’s intelligence.
This article explores 35 unique similes that you can use to describe laughter in various contexts—whether it’s joyful, contagious, or even sarcastic.
Similes for Personality Traits
1. As infectious as laughter in a room full of children
- Meaning: Describes laughter that is contagious and spreads easily.
- Example Sentences:
- Her giggle was as infectious as laughter in a room full of children; soon, everyone was laughing along.
- His infectious sense of humor made the entire office as lively as a kindergarten class during recess.
Other Ways to Say:
- As contagious as a sneeze 🤧
- As warm as a smile on a cold day 😊
- As bubbly as champagne 🍾
2. As loud as a hyena’s laugh
- Meaning: Refers to a very loud and sometimes wild laugh.
- Example Sentences:
- The comedian’s joke had the crowd laughing as loud as a hyena’s laugh.
- At the party, Mark’s laugh was so loud, it was as wild as a hyena’s.
Other Ways to Say:
- As booming as thunder ⛈️
- As thunderous as a rock concert 🎸
- As raucous as a football crowd ⚽
3. As bubbly as a champagne cork popping
- Meaning: A joyful, effervescent, and high-energy laugh.
- Example Sentences:
- Sarah’s laughter was as bubbly as a champagne cork popping, filling the room with lighthearted cheer.
- When they finally reunited, their laughter was as bubbly as a champagne cork popping at New Year’s.
Other Ways to Say:
- As cheerful as a morning bird 🦜
- As bright as a summer day ☀️
- As light as a balloon 🪶
Similes for Emotions
4. As uncontrollable as a burst of laughter at a funeral
- Meaning: Laughter that comes at the wrong time and cannot be held back.
- Example Sentences:
- His laugh was as uncontrollable as a burst of laughter at a funeral—he couldn’t stop, despite the awkwardness.
- During the serious meeting, Jane’s unexpected giggle was as uncontrollable as a burst of laughter at a funeral.
Other Ways to Say:
- As spontaneous as a sneeze 🤧
- As surprising as a plot twist 📚
- As uncontainable as a firework 🎆
5. As bright as sunshine after a storm
- Meaning: A joyful, uplifting laugh that brings relief and happiness.
- Example Sentences:
- Her laugh was as bright as sunshine after a storm, bringing a sense of hope to the room.
- His sudden laugh was as bright as sunshine after a storm, lightening the mood instantly.
Other Ways to Say:
- As fresh as a spring morning 🌸
- As glowing as a sunrise 🌅
- As warm as a cozy blanket 🛏️
6. As quiet as a mouse’s giggle
- Meaning: A soft, shy, or suppressed laugh.
- Example Sentences:
- Her laugh was as quiet as a mouse’s giggle, barely audible but full of warmth.
- He tried to hold back his laughter, but it was as quiet as a mouse’s giggle, escaping through his smile.
Other Ways to Say:
- As soft as a whisper 🌬️
- As gentle as a breeze 🍃
- As subtle as a hidden smile 😊
Similes for Physical Descriptions
7. As fast as a rocket’s engine
- Meaning: Describes laughter that happens quickly and with intense energy.
- Example Sentences:
- His laughter was as fast as a rocket’s engine, quick and sudden, before it settled into a chuckle.
- The joke spread as fast as a rocket’s engine, with everyone erupting in laughter.
Other Ways to Say:
- As quick as lightning ⚡
- As rapid as a racecar 🚗
- As speedy as a cheetah 🐆
8. As strong as a lion’s roar
- Meaning: Refers to laughter that is powerful and commanding.
- Example Sentences:
- His laugh was as strong as a lion’s roar, commanding attention in any room.
- When she finally let out her laugh, it was as strong as a lion’s roar, and everyone stopped to listen.
Other Ways to Say:
- As bold as a lion 🦁
- As forceful as a hurricane 🌀
- As intense as a thunderstorm ⛈️
9. As light as a feather’s giggle
- Meaning: Describes a gentle, airy, and almost silent laugh.
- Example Sentences:
- Her giggle was as light as a feather’s giggle, almost imperceptible but sweet.
- He chuckled as light as a feather’s giggle, leaving behind a soft, warm feeling.
Other Ways to Say:
- As delicate as a snowflake ❄️
- As soft as cotton 🌸
- As graceful as a butterfly 🦋
Similes for Abstract Concepts
10. As clever as a fox
- Meaning: Refers to someone who is smart and crafty.
- Example Sentences:
- Her laugh was as clever as a fox, knowing just when to break the tension in the room.
- The comedian’s timing was as clever as a fox, catching the audience off guard with his witty remarks.
Other Ways to Say:
- As sharp as a tack 🦸
- As smart as a whip 🐍
- As witty as a jester 🤡
11. As playful as a kitten
- Meaning: Laughter that is lighthearted and childlike, often filled with joy and playfulness.
- Example Sentences:
- His laughter was as playful as a kitten, full of joy and innocence.
- She laughed as playful as a kitten, bouncing around with energy and excitement.
Other Ways to Say:
- As cheerful as a puppy 🐶
- As mischievous as a child 🎈
- As energetic as a sparrow 🐦
12. As warm as a hug
- Meaning: Laughter that is comforting and heartfelt.
- Example Sentences:
- Her laughter was as warm as a hug, wrapping everyone in a sense of comfort and safety.
- His chuckle was as warm as a hug, putting everyone at ease and making them feel at home.
Other Ways to Say:
- As cozy as a fireplace 🔥
- As soothing as a lullaby 🎶
- As sweet as homemade cookies 🍪
Similes for Laughing
13. As loud as a jackhammer
- Meaning: Refers to laughter that is very loud and disruptive, similar to the sound of a jackhammer.
- Example Sentences:
- His laughter was as loud as a jackhammer, shaking the entire room.
- The joke was so funny that their laughter was as loud as a jackhammer, startling everyone in the office.
Other Ways to Say:
- As thunderous as a drum solo 🥁
- As booming as a cannon shot 💥
- As deafening as an alarm clock ⏰
14. As contagious as yawning
- Meaning: Laughter that spreads quickly from one person to another, just like the way yawning is contagious.
- Example Sentences:
- Her laugh was as contagious as yawning, and soon everyone around her was in stitches.
- Once one person started laughing, it was as contagious as yawning, and the whole room joined in.
Other Ways to Say:
- As spreadable as laughter at a comedy show 🎤
- As inevitable as a chain reaction ⚡
- As infectious as a dance trend 💃
15. As sweet as a sugar-coated laugh
- Meaning: A soft, pleasant, and gentle laugh that brings warmth.
- Example Sentences:
- Her giggle was as sweet as a sugar-coated laugh, making everyone smile just by hearing it.
- His laughter was as sweet as a sugar-coated laugh, leaving a lasting impression of warmth and joy.
Other Ways to Say:
- As delightful as a candy 🍬
- As pleasant as a soft breeze 🌬️
- As charming as a lullaby 🎶
16. As spontaneous as a burst of fireworks
- Meaning: Laughter that happens suddenly and unpredictably, much like fireworks.
- Example Sentences:
- His laugh was as spontaneous as a burst of fireworks, exploding unexpectedly and lighting up the room.
- The joke had her laughing as spontaneous as a burst of fireworks, catching everyone by surprise.
Other Ways to Say:
- As surprising as a sudden rainstorm 🌧️
- As unpredictable as a flash mob 💃
- As abrupt as a clap of thunder ⛈️
17. As mischievous as a child’s chuckle
- Meaning: A laugh that carries a playful, cheeky tone.
- Example Sentences:
- The moment he cracked a joke, his laugh was as mischievous as a child’s chuckle, full of fun and lightheartedness.
- Her giggle was as mischievous as a child’s chuckle, hinting at a playful secret.
Other Ways to Say:
- As cheeky as a grin on a trickster 😏
- As playful as a kitten 🐾
- As sly as a fox 🦊
18. As smooth as a jazz tune
- Meaning: A laugh that is elegant, calm, and flows effortlessly.
- Example Sentences:
- His chuckle was as smooth as a jazz tune, effortlessly easing the tension in the room.
- The way she laughed was as smooth as a jazz tune, with each note flowing naturally.
Other Ways to Say:
- As refined as a velvet curtain 🎭
- As graceful as a ballerina’s pirouette 🩰
- As mellow as a warm cup of tea 🍵
Similes for Laughing
19. As clear as a bell’s laughter
- Meaning: Laughter that is pure, ringing, and unmistakable.
- Example Sentences:
- Her laughter was as clear as a bell’s, ringing out in the quiet room, unmistakable and bright.
- The sound of his laugh was as clear as a bell’s, echoing with clarity and joy.
Other Ways to Say:
- As crisp as autumn air 🍂
- As bright as a diamond 💎
- As ringing as a church bell 🔔
20. As charming as a first kiss
- Meaning: A laugh that is endearing and full of warmth.
- Example Sentences:
- Her laugh was as charming as a first kiss, sweet and full of promise.
- He laughed as charming as a first kiss, making everyone feel special in his presence.
Other Ways to Say:
- As affectionate as a warm embrace 🤗
- As gentle as a caress 💖
- As heartwarming as a love letter 💌
21. As noisy as a carnival
- Meaning: Laughter that is loud, joyful, and filled with energy, much like the vibrant atmosphere of a carnival.
- Example Sentences:
- The whole room erupted in laughter, as noisy as a carnival with everyone sharing jokes.
- His laugh was as noisy as a carnival, drawing attention from across the street.
Other Ways to Say:
- As boisterous as a street parade 🎉
- As loud as a summer fair 🎡
- As lively as a rock concert 🎸
22. As unpredictable as a comedian’s timing
- Meaning: Laughter that is spontaneous, often appearing when least expected.
- Example Sentences:
- His laugh was as unpredictable as a comedian’s timing, surprising everyone in the room.
- The humor in her speech was as unpredictable as a comedian’s timing, making people laugh at the oddest moments.
Other Ways to Say:
- As sudden as a lightning strike ⚡
- As shocking as a surprise gift 🎁
- As unexpected as an April snowstorm ❄️
23. As soothing as a gentle stream
- Meaning: Laughter that calms and comforts, with a peaceful, serene quality.
- Example Sentences:
- Her laugh was as soothing as a gentle stream, bringing peace to everyone who heard it.
- The way he laughed was as soothing as a gentle stream, a calming presence in the room.
Other Ways to Say:
- As peaceful as a sunset 🌅
- As tranquil as a forest at dawn 🌲
- As relaxing as a deep breath 🧘
Similes for Laughing
24. As soft as a pillow’s giggle
- Meaning: A laugh that is gentle, soft, and comforting, like the feeling of a pillow.
- Example Sentences:
- Her laugh was as soft as a pillow’s giggle, a quiet, gentle sound that made everyone smile.
- His chuckle was as soft as a pillow’s giggle, making the whole group feel at ease.
Other Ways to Say:
- As tender as a mother’s touch 👩👧
- As sweet as a lullaby 🎶
- As calming as a warm bath 🛀
25. As infectious as laughter in a hospital ward
- Meaning: Describes laughter that is uplifting and spreads quickly, even in tough situations.
- Example Sentences:
- Her laughter was as infectious as laughter in a hospital ward, brightening even the most somber places.
- The way he laughed was as infectious as laughter in a hospital ward, bringing smiles to everyone nearby.
Other Ways to Say:
- As uplifting as a healing touch 👐
- As cheering as a victory cry 🏆
- As heartwarming as an unexpected kindness 💖
26. As hilarious as a slapstick comedy show
- Meaning: Laughter that comes from something exaggerated, silly, or over-the-top, just like a slapstick comedy.
- Example Sentences:
- The antics of the performers were as hilarious as a slapstick comedy show, leaving the audience in fits of laughter.
- His expression was as hilarious as a slapstick comedy show, making everyone laugh uncontrollably.
Other Ways to Say:
- As funny as a cartoon character 🎬
- As ridiculous as a pie in the face 🥧
- As exaggerated as a circus act 🎪
27. As cheerful as a laughing sunbeam
- Meaning: A laugh that radiates warmth and cheer, making everyone feel happier.
- Example Sentences:
- Her smile and laugh were as cheerful as a laughing sunbeam, brightening up even the darkest days.
- He had a laugh that was as cheerful as a laughing sunbeam, lifting everyone’s spirits.
Other Ways to Say:
- As radiant as the morning sun 🌞
- As glowing as a happy child 😊
- As bright as a summer day 🌻
28. As full as a tick with laughter
- Meaning: A laugh that is hearty and full, as if there’s no more room for more joy.
- Example Sentences:
- His laugh was as full as a tick with laughter, as though every moment was bursting with happiness.
- She laughed so much, her laughter was as full as a tick with laughter, filling the room with joy.
Other Ways to Say:
- As content as a cat in the sun 🌞
- As overjoyed as a kid with a candy bar 🍫
- As rich as a chocolate cake 🍰
29. As bright as a laugh on a sunny day
- Meaning: A laugh that is full of light and warmth, like the sunshine on a clear day.
- Example Sentences:
- His laughter was as bright as a laugh on a sunny day, spreading warmth and positivity wherever it went.
- Her laugh was as bright as a laugh on a sunny day, lighting up the entire room.
Other Ways to Say:
- As warm as a morning sunbeam 🌅
- As radiant as a flower blooming 🌸
- As sparkling as sunlight on the ocean 🌊
30. As giddy as a kid on Christmas morning
- Meaning: A laugh filled with excitement and pure joy, like the uncontainable happiness of a child on Christmas morning.
- Example Sentences:
- She laughed as giddy as a kid on Christmas morning, filled with pure excitement at the surprise.
- His laugh was as giddy as a kid on Christmas morning, so full of joy it was contagious.
Other Ways to Say:
- As thrilled as a first-time flyer ✈️
- As eager as a puppy with a new toy 🐾
- As excited as an athlete at the starting line 🏁
Simile Practice Exercise
Instructions: Complete the following activities to practice using similes. Each exercise will help you think creatively about how to describe different situations, emotions, and characteristics using similes.
Exercise 1: Complete the Similes
Fill in the blanks with the appropriate simile. Think about the qualities of the items or people in the sentence and match them with the right imagery.
- His laugh was as loud as a ________________.
- (Answer: thunderstorm, lion’s roar, fire alarm)
- She ran as fast as a ________________.
- (Answer: cheetah, wind, racehorse)
- He was as happy as a ________________.
- (Answer: child at a candy store, clam at high tide, lark in the morning)
- Her voice was as smooth as ________________.
- (Answer: silk, honey, velvet)
- The room was as bright as ________________.
- (Answer: the sun at midday, a full moon, a lightbulb)
Exercise 2: Match the Simile with Its Meaning
Match the simile with its correct meaning. Draw a line or write the number of the simile next to the correct explanation.
- As happy as a clam at high tide
- As gentle as a lamb
- As busy as a bee
- As tough as nails
- As quiet as a mouse
Meanings:
- Extremely calm and content.
- Very soft and gentle.
- Very active, constantly moving.
- Strong and unyielding.
- Very silent and unobtrusive.
Exercise 3: Create Your Own Similes
Think about a person, animal, or object and create a simile to describe it. Try to use vivid, creative language.
- Describe a friend’s laugh using a simile:
- Example: “Her laugh was as contagious as a yawn in a room full of people.”
- Describe a rainy day:
- Example: “The rain fell as soft as feathers, creating a gentle hum on the roof.”
- Describe someone who is feeling nervous:
- Example: “He was as jittery as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs.”
Exercise 4: Simile Reflection
Reflect on how similes can enhance your communication. Answer the following questions:
- In what type of writing can similes be most effective?
- (Example answer: Creative writing, personal storytelling, or advertisements)
- How do similes help convey emotions or ideas?
- (Example answer: Similes create vivid mental images, making feelings and situations more relatable to the reader.)
- Think of a situation where you could use a simile to explain something you’ve experienced recently. What simile would you use?
- (Example answer: “The news hit me as suddenly as a lightning strike on a clear day.”)
Answer Key for Exercise 1
- thunderstorm
- cheetah
- child at a candy store
- silk
- the sun at midday
Answer Key for Exercise 2
- Extremely calm and content — As happy as a clam at high tide
- Very soft and gentle — As gentle as a lamb
- Very active, constantly moving — As busy as a bee
- Strong and unyielding — As tough as nails
- Very silent and unobtrusive — As quiet as a mouse
Reflection Activity
After completing the exercises, take a moment to reflect on how similes can add richness to your communication. Try using some of your newly created similes in conversations or in your next writing project!
