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

Whether you’re drawn to a whimsical Fair Isle pattern or want something a bit more merry and bright, there’s a Walmart ugly Christmas sweater out there for you. —Shea Simmons, People.com, 12 Dec. 2024

Whether for a grand occasion like a wedding or a simpler celebration like a kid’s birthday party, there’s no denying the joy that comes with a thoughtful piece of paper that’s been stuffed into an envelope, stamped, and sent on its merry, snail-mail way. —Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 7 Dec. 2024

The holidays are a time to feel merry and bright, but that seemingly wasn't the case for Flavor Flav. —Edward Segarra, USA TODAY, 6 Dec. 2024

There are even more opportunities to eat, drink and be merry this holiday season with new and returning pop-up Christmas bars across the Valley. —Jessica Boehm, Axios, 2 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