Meanings
plural laughing hyenas · alternative dated laughing hyaena · alternative dated laughing hyæna
- informalThe spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta); so called because of the resemblance of its call to human laughter.
Synonyms: spotted hyena
Synonyms & antonyms
nounThe spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta); so called because of the resemblance of its call to human laughter.
More synonyms by meaning
nounAfrican hyena noted for its distinctive howl
Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.
Cite this entry
laughing hyena. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/laughing%20hyena
“laughing hyena.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/laughing%20hyena. Accessed November 5, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “laughing hyena,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/laughing%20hyena.
Source: laughing hyena on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.