What is the Difference Between Laugh and Smile?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between laugh and smile lies in their expressions, emotions, and situations:
- Expression:
- Smile: A smile is a gentle expression that involves the corners of the mouth turning up, and teeth may be visible.
- Laugh: Laughter involves opening the mouth, retracting the lips, and often making a sound from the throat.
- Emotion:
- Smile: Smiles are more likely to express feelings of satisfaction or good will.
- Laugh: Laughter comes from surprise or a recognition of an incongruity, and is often related to something unexpected.
- Situation:
- Smile: Smiling is personal and can occur when someone is alone or in private thoughts.
- Laugh: Laughter is a social phenomenon, making it more likely to occur in the presence of others.
In summary, smiling is a personal and gentle expression of satisfaction or good will, while laughing is a more social and vocal expression of surprise or recognition of incongruity. The difference between a laugh and a smile can be compared to the difference between humor and comedy, with laughter generally being evoked by something being funny (comedy) and smiling often signaled by humor.
Comparative Table: Laugh vs Smile
Here is a table highlighting the differences between laugh and smile:
| Feature | Laugh | Smile |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | A laugh is a vocal expression of joy or amusement, often accompanied by an open mouth and the sounds of "ha ha" or "hee hee" | A smile is a facial expression that involves curving your lips upwards to express happiness, pleasure, or amusement |
| Expression Type | Audible and spontaneous | Subtle and controlled |
| Connection to Humor | Laughter is generally evoked by something being funny, such as a joke or story | Smiles are most often connected to a positive experience, but not necessarily related to humor |
| Social Aspect | Laughter is a social phenomenon and rarely occurs when a person is alone | Smiling is a personal expression and can occur during private thoughts or when reading |
| Types | There are different intensities of laughter, depending on the volume and duration | There are different types of smiles, such as funny, polite, and embarrassed |
Keep in mind that while both laughing and smiling are expressions of happiness or amusement, they serve different purposes and can be influenced by various factors, including cultural norms, personal preferences, and the specific context in which they are used.