laugh track
/ˈlæf træk/
Meaning
A laugh track is a separate soundtrack of pre-recorded laughter added to a television comedy or sitcom. It is used to signal to the audience that a joke has been made and to encourage them to laugh along. Many modern viewers find them outdated or annoying.
Examples
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I find it hard to watch older sitcoms because the loud laugh track feels so forced.
I find it hard to watch older sitcoms because the loud laugh track feels so forced.
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The show was filmed in front of a live studio audience, so that isn't a fake laugh track you hear.
The show was filmed in front of a live studio audience, so that isn't a fake laugh track you hear.
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Without the laugh track, some of the jokes in that comedy show would actually feel quite awkward.
Without the laugh track, some of the jokes in that comedy show would actually feel quite awkward.
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They decided to remove the laugh track for the DVD release to see how fans would react.
They decided to remove the laugh track for the DVD release to see how fans would react.
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The constant laugh track after every single line made the sitcom almost unwatchable.
The constant laugh track after every single line made the sitcom almost unwatchable.
Common Mistakes
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✗ The comedy show had a very loud laughing track.
✓ The comedy show had a very loud laugh track.
The noun adjunct is 'laugh', not the gerund 'laughing'.
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✗ I don't like sitcoms that use laugh music.
✓ I don't like sitcoms that use a laugh track.
The specific term for recorded laughter is 'laugh track', not 'laugh music'.
Related Expressions
Practice
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Many modern sitcoms have abandoned the traditional ___ in favor of a more realistic atmosphere.
💡 Pre-recorded audience laughter added to a show.
Show answer
laugh track
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If you mute the ___, you realize the characters are actually just staring at each other in silence.
💡 The background audio of people laughing.
Show answer
laugh track