merry

adjective

mer·ry | \ ˈmer-ē

, ˈme-rē\

merrier; merriest

Definition of merry

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

Other Words from merry Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about merry

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Other Words from merry

merrily \ ˈmer-ə-lē

, ˈme-rə- \ adverb

merriness \ ˈmer-ē-nəs

, ˈme-rē- \ noun

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

Should your best friend, cousin, or co-worker receive a ring, there’s all the more reason to eat, drink, and be merry. — Vogue, "Get Ahead of the Registry: 20 Gift Ideas for Your Newly Engaged Friend," 16 Nov. 2018 In the lead-up to the holidays, a row of overflowing stockings is a merry harbinger of the generosity to come, building anticipation as the big day grows near. — Vogue, "Day 8: Stuff Your Stockings With Care," 12 Nov. 2018 With present ideas, gift wrapping essentials, classic decorations, and very merry kitchenwares—all in her signature rustic-chic style—your house and family will undoubtedly be the hit of the holiday party. — Jessica Leigh Mattern, Country Living, "Joanna Gaines Just Dropped the Cutest Christmas Collection for Pets at Target," 4 Dec. 2018 Instead of a band of merry travelers on an adventure, playing in a team feels more like having someone to split your daily chores with. — Sarah Leboeuf, Ars Technica, "Two weeks in, Fallout 76 is a lonely, glitchy, flawed mess," 28 Nov. 2018 This money merry-go-round might have helped Evergrande get this bond issue away, but there will be other hurdles to leap soon. — Jacky Wong, WSJ, "This Chinese Bond Deal Should Give Investors the Shivers," 31 Oct. 2018 Built in the atrium of the Hangzhou Star Avenue Mall, the Neobio Family Park makes the teeter-totters and merry-go-rounds of the past feel like ancient toys. — Liz Stinson, Curbed, "Feast your eyes on this next-level indoor park," 14 Aug. 2018 Wolf and Marcus added a miniature train, jet planes, fire engines, miniature roller coaster, merry-go-round, boat rides and pony rides. — Dawn Mitchell, Indianapolis Star, "RetroIndy: Little America and Wonderland kiddie park," 15 June 2018 The result is something moddish, magical, and very merry. — Elise Taylor, Vogue, "See Diane von Furstenberg’s Seriously Chic London Christmas Tree," 27 Nov. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'merry.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.