Nervous laugh.

Meaning: This phrase means a laugh produced due to discomfort or anxiety rather than amusement. For instance, The speaker gave a nervous laugh when they realized they had made a mistake during their presentation.

Choice of Words: Nervous is an adjective that describes a feeling of anxiety or unease. Laugh is a noun that refers to the sound produced when someone is amused or happy. When combined, "Nervous laugh" implies a laugh that is produced due to discomfort or anxiety rather than amusement.

Alternative Expressions

A laugh that is nervous.

Meaning: This means the same as the first sentence, but it emphasizes that the laugh is a reaction to feeling nervous or uneasy.

Choice of Words: Laugh is the sound of amusement or humor. That is a pronoun that refers to something that has already been mentioned. Nervous means feeling anxious or uneasy. When you put them together, A laugh that is nervous is a phrase that describes a laugh that is not genuine or carefree, but rather a reaction to feeling nervous or anxious.

A nervous person laughs.

Meaning: This means that the person is laughing because they are nervous or uneasy. It's like saying, The person was laughing, but it was only because they were nervous.

Choice of Words: Nervous means feeling anxious or uneasy. Person is a human being. Laughs is the sound of amusement or humor. When you put them together, A nervous person laughs is a phrase that describes someone who is feeling anxious or uneasy and is laughing.

Related Expressions