laugh line
MediumInformal to Neutral
Definition
Meaning
A wrinkle or crease in the skin, typically at the outer corner of the eye, caused by repeated smiling or laughing.
Can also refer to any facial line associated with habitual expression (e.g., around the mouth). In theatre/performance, it can mean a line in a script intended to provoke laughter.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Usually plural ('laugh lines'). Often carries a positive connotation of lived experience and expressiveness, though in beauty/ageing contexts can be framed negatively.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is used in both. The alternative 'laughter lines' is significantly more common in British English. 'Crow's feet' is a more specific synonym for the lines around the eyes in both varieties.
Connotations
Similar positive/expressive connotations in both, but British English may slightly favour the gentler 'laughter lines'.
Frequency
More frequent in American English than British English; British English prefers 'laughter lines'.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Her laugh lines appeared/crinkled/deepened when she smiled.He has developed noticeable laugh lines.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in marketing for skincare, cosmetics, or aesthetic medicine (e.g., 'Our cream reduces the appearance of laugh lines.').
Academic
Rare; appears in dermatology, gerontology, or psychology papers discussing ageing and facial expression.
Everyday
Common in conversations about ageing, appearance, or recalling happy memories (e.g., 'I earned these laugh lines!').
Technical
In dermatology, may be classified as dynamic rhytides caused by the action of the orbicularis oculi muscle.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My grandma has many laugh lines.
- When you smile, I see your laugh lines.
- She said her laugh lines are a sign of a happy life.
- The bright sun made him squint, deepening his laugh lines.
- The photographer captured her deep laugh lines, which added character and warmth to the portrait.
- Rather than trying to erase her laugh lines with fillers, she embraces them as part of her identity.
- His essay argued that in portraiture, laugh lines are often valorised as indices of wisdom and benevolence, in contrast to frown lines.
- The novel's description noted how his laugh lines seemed to etch a permanent history of mirth onto his weathered face.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: Lines you get from a good LAUGH are your LAUGH LINES.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE FACE IS A MAP OF EXPERIENCE (lines chart a history of joy).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'смеющаяся линия'. Use 'морщинки от смеха', 'гусиные лапки' (for eyes), or 'складки/морщины улыбки'.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'laught line'. Using it as a singular for a single wrinkle (usually plural).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the most accurate definition of 'laugh lines' in common usage?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are similar and often used interchangeably. However, 'crow's feet' specifically refers to the lines radiating from the outer corners of the eyes, while 'laugh lines' can also include lines around the mouth.
No, it is a colloquial or lay term. In dermatology, these are more precisely referred to as 'dynamic rhytides' or 'expression lines'.
You can reduce their early formation through sun protection (sunscreen), not smoking, and moisturising, but they are a natural part of ageing and facial movement for most people.
The term is understood in both, but 'laughter lines' is the far more common and natural phrasing in British English, while 'laugh lines' is standard in American English.