Cool MateLaugh vs Smile
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Laugh
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
Smile
Top 1,000 (very common)A2verb
| Laugh | Smile | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/lɑːf/","/lɑːfs/","/lɑːft/","/ˈlɑːfɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/læf/","/læfs/","/læft/","/ˈlæfɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/smaɪl/","/smaɪlz/","/smaɪld/","/ˈsmaɪlɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/smaɪl/","/smaɪlz/","/smaɪld/","/ˈsmaɪlɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To make a sound when you are happy or think something is funny. | A happy or friendly expression made by turning up the corners of your mouth. |
| Example | The children laughed at the funny clown. | She always manages to smile, even on the toughest days. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | A2 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | aloud, loudly, out loud, have to, want to, begin to, about, at, in, burst out laughing, bust out laughing, can’t help laughing | broadly, widely, faintly, try to, manage to, make somebody, at, with, smile down at somebody, smile up at somebody, smile from ear to ear |
| Antonyms | cry, sorrow, frown | frown, scowl, glower |
| Common mistakes | Using 'laugh' without an object when it needs one, e.g., 'I laugh' instead of 'I laugh at the joke.', Confusing 'laugh' with similar verbs like 'smile' or 'giggle'., 'Laugh off' is often misused; it means to dismiss something lightly. | Using 'smile' without an object when it should be 'smile at someone.', Confusing 'smile' with similar words like 'grin' which has a broader meaning., Incorrectly using 'smile' as a noun in plural form ('smiles') in contexts that only need the singular. |
| Usage notes | Used in most contexts, but be cautious with humor in formal settings. It might seem inappropriate to laugh at serious situations. | Use 'smile' in both formal and informal contexts. In formal situations, it can express politeness or friendliness. Avoid using 'smile' in contexts that require seriousness or sadness. |
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Frequently asked questions: Laugh vs Smile
What's the difference between Laugh and Smile?
Laugh: To make a sound when you are happy or think something is funny. Smile: A happy or friendly expression made by turning up the corners of your mouth.
Which is more advanced: Laugh and Smile?
Smile is the highest level, at A2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Laugh and Smile the same CEFR level?
Laugh: A1, Smile: A2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Laugh and Smile?
Laugh: verb, Smile: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Laugh: The children laughed at the funny clown. Smile: She always manages to smile, even on the toughest days.
Can I use Laugh and Smile interchangeably?
Not always. Laugh and Smile are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.