merriment

noun

mer·​ri·​ment ˈmer-i-mənt 

ˈme-ri-

1

: lighthearted gaiety or fun-making : hilarity

2

: a lively celebration or party : festivity

Synonyms of merriment

• glee
• cheerfulness
• merriness
• festivity
• cheer
• mirth

Examples of merriment in a Sentence

a time of great joy and merriment

Their house was always filled with merriment.

Recent Examples on the Web

There was food, drink and merriment of all stripes. —Brian Barth, Mercury News, 27 Feb. 2026

The whole family will find merriment in hopping aboard the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, a four-hour, 26-mile, round-trip journey that begins and ends at the historic depot in Blue Ridge. —Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 19 Feb. 2026

Slope regulars know that après-ski is a time for food, drink, and merriment after a day out in the cold. —Maddie Topliff, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Jan. 2026

But the day after the freezing celebration parade in Chicago, the space shuttle Challenger exploded after takeoff in Florida, putting an abrupt end to national merriment. —Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1574, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for merriment

• experiment

Kids Definition

merriment

noun

mer·​ri·​ment ˈmer-i-mənt 

: mirth, fun