mirth

noun

ˈmərth 

: gladness or gaiety as shown by or accompanied with laughter

His clumsy attempt at dancing caused much mirth.

mirthful

ˈmərth-fəl 

adjective

mirthfully

ˈmərth-fə-lē 

adverb

mirthfulness noun

Synonyms

• cheer
• cheerfulness
• cheeriness
• festivity
• gaiety
• gayety
• gayness
• glee
• gleefulness
• hilarity
• jocundity
• joviality
• merriment
• merriness
• mirthfulness

Examples of mirth in a Sentence

Her clumsy attempt to cut the cake was the cause of much mirth.

as charming as your mutual mirth is, could you refrain from nudging each other and giggling during class?

Recent Examples on the Web

As Pagliacci and Smokey Robinson could tell you, there’s nothing new about the intersection of mirth and melancholy. —Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Dec. 2024

Expect merriment, mirth and …*checks notes*… Fulham to be fifth by Christmas? —Phil Hay, The Athletic, 14 Aug. 2024

While that occasion caused much mirth, neighbors in Washington were not pleased with the mass of masked marauders. —Alexander Smith, NBC News, 10 Oct. 2024

Sometimes, though, Harris’s various shades of mirth simply add ironic merriment to proceedings that otherwise slog along. —Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 10 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English myrgth, from myrge merry — more at merry

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

mirth

noun

ˈmərth 

: gaiety accompanied by laughter