What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
bray
Example
The comedian's joke made the audience bray with laughter. [bray: verb]
Example
His braying laughter echoed through the room, drawing everyone's attention. [braying: present participle]
guffaw
Example
The funny scene in the movie made him guffaw loudly. [guffaw: verb]
Example
Her guffawing laughter was so infectious that soon everyone in the room joined in. [guffawing: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Guffaw is more commonly used than bray in everyday language. Guffaw is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while bray is less common and may be considered more old-fashioned or literary.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between bray and guffaw?
While bray is typically associated with a more informal and even negative tone, guffaw is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts to describe hearty and contagious laughter.
