What is the Latin word for laughing?

The usual Latin words for “laughing” are rīdeō, arrīdeō, amoenus; also laetus. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

English → Latin

“laughing” in Latin

rīdeōto laugh; to laugh at, ridicule, mock arrīdeōto laugh or smile at; to be favorable to; to be pleasing to, please amoenuscharming, pleasant, agreeable, amenable; lovely, delightful, beautiful laetushappy, cheerful, glad; fertile, luxuriant, lush, rich

Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864

laughing

PROPR., ridens; arridens (at anything).

FIG., amoenus (of a landscape, etc.); laetus (of a field of corn).

Quick answer

What is the Latin word for laughing?: The usual Latin words for “laughing” are rīdeō, arrīdeō, amoenus; also laetus. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.