merry

adjective

mer·​ry ˈmer-ē 

ˈme-rē

merrier; merriest

1

: full of gaiety or high spirits : mirthful

eat, drink, and be merry

2

: marked by festivity or gaiety

a merry holiday time

3

: quick, brisk

a merry pace

4

archaic : giving pleasure : delightful

merrily

ˈmer-ə-lē 

ˈme-rə-

adverb

merriness

ˈmer-ē-nəs 

ˈme-rē-

noun

Synonyms

• jolly
• festive
• cheerful

Choose the Right Synonym for merry

merry, blithe, jocund, jovial, jolly mean showing high spirits or lightheartedness.

merry suggests cheerful, joyous, uninhibited enjoyment of frolic or festivity.

a merry group of revelers

blithe suggests carefree, innocent, or even heedless gaiety.

arrived late in his usual blithe way

jocund stresses elation and exhilaration of spirits.

singing, dancing, and jocund feasting

jovial suggests the stimulation of conviviality and good fellowship.

dinner put them in a jovial mood

jolly suggests high spirits expressed in laughing, bantering, and jesting.

our jolly host enlivened the party

Examples of merry in a Sentence

Let's eat, drink, and be merry!

They sang a merry little song.

Recent Examples on the Web

Great American Family is making sure that everyone's television screens remain merry and bright this holiday season! —Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Sep. 2025

Big Sur has enjoyed a reputation as a dream destination long before Big Little Lies and its merry band of accidentally murderous suburban mothers came around. —Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 20 Sep. 2025

His merry band of bird bouncers kept their eyes upon the crowd, making sure the birds are not harmed by any reckless actions, before each bird is rewarded with tidbits of chicken. —Ryan Garza, Freep.com, 19 Sep. 2025

However, the night really belonged to 15-year-old Brit Cooper and his merry band of Adolescence superstars. —Max Goldbart, Deadline, 19 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English mery, from Old English myrge, merge; akin to Old High German murg short — more at brief

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Phrases Containing merry

• be on one's merry way
• go on one's merry way
• lead (someone) a merry chase
• lead (someone) a (merry) dance
• make merry
• merry-andrew
• merry-go-round
• merry widow
• play merry hell with

Rhymes for merry

• aerie
• airy
• arie
• barre
• cherry
• clary
• dairy
• eyrie
• faerie
• faery
• fairy
• ferry

Kids Definition

merry

adjective

mer·​ry ˈmer-ē 

merrier; merriest

1

: full of good humor and good spirits : mirthful

2

: marked by gaiety or festivity

a merry Christmas

merrily

ˈmer-ə-lē 

adverb

merriness

ˈmer-ē-nəs 

noun