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

• blithe
• blithesome
• festive
• gay
• gleeful
• jocose
• jocular
• jocund
• jolly
• jovial
• laughing
• mirthful
• sunny

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

In another shot, the two wish a merry Christmas to the camera. —Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 26 Dec. 2024

Ensure your celebrations stay merry and bright by stocking up on your favorite beverages before the holiday arrives. —Brandi D. Addison, Austin American-Statesman, 24 Dec. 2024

While all seems merry and bright since the toys have reached their destination safely, the scene mirrors Andy's birthday party in the film's opening: The toys might be replaced by newer, cooler ones. —Skyler Caruso, People.com, 20 Dec. 2024

Listen to this article Loading your audio article While Florida’s abundant sunshine and mild winter weather ensure merry and bright days in December, a small handful of dedicated holiday heroes in Central Florida go out of their way to ensure that evenings are also blindingly bright. —Patrick Connolly, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Dec. 2024

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

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