ha-has
/ˈhɑːˌhɑːz/
NOUN
1. A laugh
A sound or expression of laughter, amusement, or enjoyment.
1.1. Laughter and amusement
Sounds or expressions of laughter showing amusement, delight, or enjoyment.
Synonyms
Examples
- Ha-has filled the room as the comedian delivered his punchline.
- The children's playground echoed with joyful ha-has as they played together.
Related Words
1.2. Nervous laughter
Brief or uneasy laughter produced in response to tension, embarrassment, or an uncomfortable situation.
Synonyms
- nervous laughs
- uneasy chuckles
- awkward giggles
Examples
- In the midst of the tense meeting, a few nervous ha-has broke the silence.
Related Words
- tension
- embarrassment
- discomfort
- nervousness
NOUN
2. Something funny; a joke
A humorous remark, joke, or amusing incident that provokes laughter.
2.1. Jokes and humorous remarks
Funny statements, witty remarks, or amusing incidents intended to entertain or make people laugh.
Synonyms
Examples
- The sitcom's clever writing always guaranteed plenty of genuine ha-has from the audience.
Related Words
- comedy
- humor
- punchlines
- parody
- wordplay
NOUN
3. A sunken ditch used as a fence
A ditch with one vertical side, designed to prevent animals from entering lawns and parks without obstructing the view.
3.1. Landscape boundary
A sunken ditch or trench that acts as an invisible boundary, keeping livestock or other animals out of landscaped grounds while preserving an uninterrupted view.
Synonyms
- sunk fences
- ditches
- fosses
- trenches
Examples
- The estate used ha-has to keep grazing animals away from the formal gardens.
- The ha-has preserved the open view across the park while preventing livestock from entering.
Related Words
- culverts
- dikes
- drains
- furrows
- gullies
- gutters
- moats
- ravines
- sheughs
- stanks
- troughs