Word forms: comparative merrier, superlative merriest
1. adjective
If you describe someone's character or behaviour as merry, you mean that they are happy and cheerful.
[old-fashioned]
He was much loved for his merry nature.
From the house come the bursts of merry laughter.
Merry black eyes glinted at them.
Synonyms: cheerful, happy, upbeat [informal], carefree More Synonyms of merry
merrilyadverb [ADVERB after verb]
Chris threw back his head and laughed merrily.
2. graded adjective
A merry sound or sight makes you feel cheerful.
[old-fashioned]
...the merry sounds of a seven-piece brass band.
She was humming a merry little tune.
3. adjective [verb-link ADJECTIVE]
If you get merry, you get slightly drunk.
[British, informal]
They went off to Glengarriff to get merry.
4. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
Some people use merry to emphasize something that they are saying, often when they want to express disapproval or humour.
[emphasis]
It hasn't stopped the British Navy proceeding on its merry way.
In the merry world of American lawyers it is the simplest thing in the world to startan action.
5. See also merrily
6.
See Merry Christmas
7.
See make merry
8. to lead someone a merry dance
9. to play merry hell
More Synonyms of merry
merry in British English
or archaic merrie (ˈmɛrɪ)
adjectiveWord forms: -rier or -riest
1.
cheerful; jolly
2.
very funny; hilarious
3. British informal
slightly drunk
4. archaic
delightful
5. make merry
6. play merry hell with
Derived forms
merrily (ˈmerrily)
adverb
merriness (ˈmerriness)
noun
Word origin
Old English merige agreeable
merry in American English
(ˈmɛri)
adjectiveWord forms: ˈmerrier or ˈmerriest
1.
full of fun and laughter; lively and cheerful
2.
conducive to fun and laughter; festive
the merry month of May
3. Archaic
pleasant or amusing
Idioms:
make merry
Derived forms
merrily (ˈmerrily)
adverb
merriness (ˈmerriness)
noun
Word origin
ME mery < OE myrge, pleasing, agreeable, akin to OHG murgi, short < IE base *mreĝhu-, *mrĝhu-, short > Gr brachys, L brevis, short: basic sense “lasting a short time, seeming brief”
More idioms containing
merry
play merry hell with something
lead someone a merry dance
Examples of 'merry' in a sentence
merry
Yet I am genuinely sorry to leave our merry band.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We are such a merry little bunch.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Some make merry with the minutiae of our short lives.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
He moved straight on and was on his merry way dancing with her.
The Sun (2014)
This causes merry hell at inheritance time.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
There follows another round of merry laughter.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
We joined merry men and happy women in enjoying the luxury of grand surroundings.
The Sun (2009)
But it could have wound its merry way for years.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
There will be merry hell over the next week or so.
The Sun (2010)
And then we were so merry all the way home!
Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice (1813)
If any patient comes to harm then the government and the press are going to make merry hell of it.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Some spectators get merry over lunch, then come to watch the tennis in the afternoon.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
And so to bed, now feeling much less merry.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
I just get a bit merry.
The Sun (2013)
It sounds merry, but what if you don't want to take part?
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
You and your band of merry men can zip backwards and forward in time, meaning the smallest changes can effect things in a different era.
The Sun (2009)
Quotations
A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenanceBible: Proverbs
In other languages
merry
British English: merry /ˈmɛrɪ/ ADJECTIVE
Merry means happy and cheerful.
...a merry little tune.
American English: merry
Arabic: بَهِيجٌ
Brazilian Portuguese: feliz
Chinese: 欢乐的
Croatian: veseo
Czech: veselý
Danish: glad
Dutch: vrolijk
European Spanish: alegre
Finnish: iloinen
French: joyeux
German: fröhlich
Greek: χαρωπός
Italian: contento
Japanese: 陽気な
Korean: 즐거운
Norwegian: lystig
Polish: wesoły
European Portuguese: feliz
Romanian: vesel
Russian: веселый
Latin American Spanish: alegre
Swedish: glad
Thai: รื่นเริง
Turkish: şen şakrak
Ukrainian: щасливий
Vietnamese: vui vẻ
Chinese translation of 'merry'
merry
(ˈmɛrɪ)
adj
(= happy)[person, mood]快乐(樂)的 (kuàilè de)
(= cheerful)[tune]欢(歡)快的 (huānkuài de)
(Brit, inf, = tipsy) 微醉的 (wēizuì de)
Merry Christmas!圣(聖)诞(誕)快乐(樂)！ (Shèngdàn Kuàilè!)
1 (adjective)
Definition
cheerful and jolly
He was much loved for his merry nature.
Synonyms
cheerful
They are both very cheerful in spite of their circumstances.
happy
We have a very happy marriage.
upbeat (informal)
carefree
She remembered her years of carefree youth.
glad
I'm glad I decided to go after all.
jolly
She was a jolly, kindhearted woman.
festive
The town has a festive holiday atmosphere.
joyous
a joyous celebration of life
joyful
We're a very joyful people.
genial
He was a warm-hearted friend and a genial host.
fun-loving
chirpy (informal)
You're very chirpy today - have you won the lottery or something?
vivacious
a beautiful, vivacious and charming young woman
rollicking (archaic)
outrageous, and a rollicking good read
convivial
Enjoy simple but satisfying food in the bistro's convivial atmosphere.
gleeful
He took a gleeful delight in proving them all wrong.
blithe (archaic)
His spirit was anything but blithe below the surface.
frolicsome (archaic)
mirthful (archaic)
She revelled in the mirthful music of her children's laughter.
sportive (archaic)
light-hearted
They were light-hearted and prepared to enjoy life.
jocund (archaic)
gay (old-fashioned)
I am in good health, gay and cheerful.
blithesome (archaic)
Opposites
sad
,
unhappy
,
miserable
,
gloomy
,
dismal
,
dejected
,
down in the dumps (informal)
2 (adjective)
Definition
slightly drunk
(British, informal)
After a couple of glasses I was feeling a bit merry.
Synonyms
tipsy
I'm feeling a bit tipsy.
happy
I'm just happy to be back running.
elevated (informal)
mellow
He began to feel mellow as soon as he sat down with his friends.
tiddly (rare, mainly British)
squiffy (British, informal, old-fashioned)
3 (adjective)
Synonyms
comical
The whole situation suddenly struck her as being comical.
funny
I'll tell you a funny story.
comic
The novel is both comic and tragic.
amusing
He had a great sense of humour and could be very amusing.
hilarious
He had a fund of hilarious tales.
humorous
a humorous magazine
facetious
Are you going to listen or just make facetious remarks?
jocular
I was in a less jocular mood than usual.
mirthful
idiom
See make merry
Quotation
A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance [Bible: Proverbs]
Additional synonyms
in the sense of amusing
He had a great sense of humour and could be very amusing.
Synonyms
funny,
humorous,
gratifying,
laughable,
farcical,
comical,
droll,
interesting,
pleasing,
charming,
cheering,
entertaining,
comic,
pleasant,
lively,
diverting,
delightful,
enjoyable,
cheerful,
witty,
merry,
gladdening,
facetious,
jocular,
rib-tickling,
waggish
in the sense of blithe
Definition
very happy or cheerful
His spirit was anything but blithe below the surface.
Synonyms
happy,
sunny,
cheerful,
merry,
upbeat (informal),
buoyant,
airy,
cheery,
carefree,
breezy,
genial,
jaunty,
chirpy (informal),
untroubled,
happy-go-lucky,
gay,
debonair,
insouciant,
mirthful,
light-hearted,
gladsome (archaic)
in the sense of carefree
Definition
without worry or responsibility
She remembered her years of carefree youth.
Synonyms
untroubled,
happy,
cheerful,
careless,
buoyant,
airy,
radiant,
easy-going,
cheery,
breezy,
halcyon,
sunny,
jaunty,
chirpy (informal),
happy-go-lucky,
blithe,
insouciant,
light-hearted,
lightsome (archaic)
Synonyms of 'merry'
merry
Explore 'merry' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of chirpy
Definition
lively and cheerful
You're very chirpy today - have you won the lottery or something?
Synonyms
cheerful,
happy,
bright,
enthusiastic,
lively,
sparkling,
sunny,
jolly,
animated,
buoyant,
radiant,
jaunty,
sprightly,
in high spirits,
blithe,
full of beans (informal),
light-hearted
in the sense of comic
Definition
humorous
The novel is both comic and tragic.
Synonyms
funny,
amusing,
witty,
humorous,
farcical,
comical,
light,
joking,
droll,
facetious,
jocular,
waggish,
rich
in the sense of convivial
Definition
sociable or lively
Enjoy simple but satisfying food in the bistro's convivial atmosphere.
Synonyms
sociable,
friendly,
lively,
cheerful,
jolly,
merry,
festive,
hearty,
genial,
fun-loving,
jovial,
back-slapping,
gay (old-fashioned),
partyish (informal)
in the sense of facetious
Definition
joking, or trying to be amusing, esp. at inappropriate times
Are you going to listen or just make facetious remarks?
Synonyms
flippant,
funny,
amusing,
witty,
merry,
humorous,
playful,
pleasant,
frivolous,
tongue in cheek,
comical,
jesting,
droll,
jocular,
waggish,
unserious,
jocose (old-fashioned)
in the sense of festive
Definition
of or like a celebration
The town has a festive holiday atmosphere.
Synonyms
celebratory,
happy,
holiday,
carnival,
jolly,
merry,
gala,
hearty,
jubilant,
cheery,
joyous,
joyful,
jovial,
convivial,
gleeful,
back-slapping,
Christmassy,
mirthful,
sportive,
light-hearted,
festal,
gay (old-fashioned)
in the sense of frolicsome
Definition
merry and playful
Synonyms
playful,
gay,
lively,
merry,
sprightly,
wanton (archaic),
rollicking,
frisky,
full of beans (informal),
coltish,
kittenish,
ludic (literary),
sportive
in the sense of funny
Definition
causing amusement or laughter
I'll tell you a funny story.
Synonyms
humorous,
amusing,
comical,
entertaining,
killing (informal),
rich,
comic,
silly,
ridiculous,
diverting,
absurd,
jolly,
witty,
hilarious,
ludicrous,
laughable,
farcical,
slapstick,
riotous,
droll,
risible (formal),
facetious,
jocular,
side-splitting,
waggish,
jocose (old-fashioned)
in the sense of gay
Definition
carefree and merry
I am in good health, gay and cheerful.
Synonyms
cheerful,
happy,
bright,
glad,
lively,
sparkling,
sunny,
jolly,
animated,
merry,
upbeat (informal),
buoyant,
cheery,
joyous,
joyful,
carefree,
jaunty,
chirpy (informal),
vivacious,
jovial,
gleeful,
debonair,
blithe,
insouciant,
full of beans (informal),
light-hearted
in the sense of genial
Definition
cheerful, easy-going, and friendly
He was a warm-hearted friend and a genial host.
Synonyms
friendly,
kind,
kindly,
pleasant,
warm,
cheerful,
jolly,
hearty,
agreeable,
cheery,
amiable,
cordial,
affable,
congenial,
jovial,
convivial,
good-natured,
warm-hearted,
merry
in the sense of glad
Definition
happy and pleased
I'm glad I decided to go after all.
Synonyms
happy,
pleased,
delighted,
contented,
cheerful,
gratified,
joyful,
overjoyed,
chuffed (slang),
gleeful,
blithesome (literary)
Additional synonyms
in the sense of gleeful
Definition
merry or joyful, esp. over someone else's mistake or misfortune
He took a gleeful delight in proving them all wrong.
Synonyms
delighted,
happy,
pleased,
cheerful,
merry,
triumphant,
gratified,
exuberant,
jubilant,
joyous,
joyful,
elated,
overjoyed,
chirpy (informal),
exultant,
cock-a-hoop,
mirthful,
over the moon (informal),
stoked (informal)
in the sense of happy
Definition
causing joy or gladness
We have a very happy marriage.
Synonyms
contented,
blessed,
blest,
joyful,
blissful,
blithe
in the sense of happy
Definition
feeling or expressing joy
I'm just happy to be back running.
Synonyms
pleased,
delighted,
content,
contented,
thrilled,
glad,
blessed,
blest,
sunny,
cheerful,
jolly,
merry,
ecstatic,
gratified,
jubilant,
joyous,
joyful,
elated,
over the moon (informal),
overjoyed,
blissful,
rapt,
blithe,
on cloud nine (informal),
cock-a-hoop (old-fashioned),
walking on air (informal),
floating on air,
stoked (informal)
in the sense of hilarious
Definition
very funny
He had a fund of hilarious tales.
Synonyms
funny,
entertaining,
amusing,
hysterical (informal),
humorous,
exhilarating,
comical,
side-splitting
in the sense of humorous
Definition
amusing, esp. in a witty or clever way
a humorous magazine
Synonyms
funny,
comic,
amusing,
entertaining,
witty,
merry,
hilarious,
ludicrous,
laughable,
farcical,
whimsical,
comical,
droll,
facetious,
jocular,
side-splitting,
waggish,
jocose (old-fashioned)
in the sense of jocular
Definition
(of a remark) meant lightly or humorously
I was in a less jocular mood than usual.
Synonyms
humorous,
joking,
funny,
amusing,
teasing,
jolly,
witty,
playful,
whimsical,
comical,
jesting,
jovial,
droll,
facetious,
roguish,
frolicsome,
ludic (literary),
waggish,
sportive,
jocund,
jocose (old-fashioned)
in the sense of jolly
Definition
involving a lot of fun
She was a jolly, kindhearted woman.
Synonyms
happy,
bright,
funny,
lively,
hopeful,
sunny,
cheerful,
merry,
vibrant,
hilarious,
festive,
upbeat,
bubbly,
gay (old-fashioned),
airy,
playful,
exuberant,
jubilant,
cheery,
good-humoured,
joyous,
joyful,
carefree,
breezy,
genial,
ebullient (old-fashioned),
chirpy (informal),
sprightly,
jovial,
convivial,
effervescent,
frolicsome (old-fashioned),
ludic (literary),
mirthful,
sportive,
light-hearted,
jocund (old-fashioned),
gladsome (archaic),
blithesome (archaic)
in the sense of joyful
Definition
feeling or bringing great joy
We're a very joyful people.
Synonyms
delighted,
happy,
satisfied,
glad,
jolly,
merry,
gratified,
pleased,
jubilant,
elated,
over the moon (informal),
jovial,
rapt,
enraptured,
on cloud nine (informal),
cock-a-hoop (old-fashioned),
floating on air,
light-hearted,
jocund,
gladsome (archaic),
blithesome,
stoked (informal)
in the sense of joyous
Definition
extremely happy and enthusiastic
a joyous celebration of life
Synonyms
joyful,
cheerful,
merry,
festive,
heartening,
rapturous,
blithe
in the sense of light-hearted
Definition
cheerful or carefree in mood or disposition
They were light-hearted and prepared to enjoy life.
Synonyms
carefree,
happy,
bright,
glad,
sunny,
cheerful,
jolly,
merry,
upbeat (informal),
playful,
joyous,
joyful,
genial,
chirpy (informal),
jovial,
untroubled,
gleeful,
happy-go-lucky,
gay (old-fashioned),
effervescent,
blithe,
insouciant,
frolicsome,
ludic (literary),
jocund,
blithesome (literary)
Additional synonyms
in the sense of mellow
Definition
genial and relaxed, for instance through the effects of alcohol or good food
He began to feel mellow as soon as he sat down with his friends.
Synonyms
relaxed,
happy,
cheerful,
jolly,
elevated,
merry (British, informal),
expansive,
cordial,
genial,
jovial,
MLO
in the sense of mirthful
She revelled in the mirthful music of her children's laughter.