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
adverb ˈme-rə-
merriness
ˈmer-ē-nəs
noun ˈme-rē-
Synonyms
- blithe
- blithesome
- festive
- gay
- gleeful
- jocose
- jocular
- jocund
- jolly
- jovial
- laughing
- mirthful
- sunny
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Let's eat, drink, and be merry! They sang a merry little song.
Recent Examples on the Web These farmhouse Christmas crafts combine natural elements and vintage finds for a look that's as warm and merry as Ol' Saint Nick. 
Megan Boettcher, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Aug. 2022 Thanksgiving and Christmas might not be so merry for people traveling to see friends and relatives this year. Chris Morris, Fortune, 18 Aug. 2022 Combining that number with Off-Premise purchases (grocery stores, wine shops, etc.) and direct to consumer (DTC) shipments from wineries, the 2021 holiday season could be quite merry. Liz Thach, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2021 All seems merry and bright since the toys have reached their destination safely, but the scene mirrors Andy's birthday party in the film's opening – the toys might be getting replaced by newer and cooler toys. Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE.com, 30 Nov. 2021 Thousands of people did pirate-y things, snagged beads from the parade route, and generally ate, drank and were merry. Curt Anderson, ajc, 30 Jan. 2022 Batman Returns is the merry Christmas movie that starts when two parents toss their baby off a bridge. Darren Franich, EW.com, 20 Jan. 2022 Johannessen Lights has become somewhat of a community event, drawing thousands each year for a display that’s incredibly merry and bright. Patrick Connolly, orlandosentinel.com, 17 Dec. 2021 Many thanks to our friends at Magic City Kitties, who helped to make the holidays merry and bright. Mary Colurso | Mcolurso@al.com, al, 21 Dec. 2021 See More
Megan Boettcher, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Aug. 2022 Thanksgiving and Christmas might not be so merry for people traveling to see friends and relatives this year. Chris Morris, Fortune, 18 Aug. 2022 Combining that number with Off-Premise purchases (grocery stores, wine shops, etc.) and direct to consumer (DTC) shipments from wineries, the 2021 holiday season could be quite merry. Liz Thach, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2021 All seems merry and bright since the toys have reached their destination safely, but the scene mirrors Andy's birthday party in the film's opening – the toys might be getting replaced by newer and cooler toys. Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE.com, 30 Nov. 2021 Thousands of people did pirate-y things, snagged beads from the parade route, and generally ate, drank and were merry. Curt Anderson, ajc, 30 Jan. 2022 Batman Returns is the merry Christmas movie that starts when two parents toss their baby off a bridge. Darren Franich, EW.com, 20 Jan. 2022 Johannessen Lights has become somewhat of a community event, drawing thousands each year for a display that’s incredibly merry and bright. Patrick Connolly, orlandosentinel.com, 17 Dec. 2021 Many thanks to our friends at Magic City Kitties, who helped to make the holidays merry and bright. Mary Colurso | Mcolurso@al.com, al, 21 Dec. 2021 See More 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
Kids Definition
merry
adjective
mer·ry ˈmer-ē
merrier; merriest
1
: full of joy and good cheer
a merry man
2
: full of festive celebration and enjoyment
a merry Christmas
merry
adjective
as in jolly
indicative of or marked by high spirits or good humor the traditional depiction of Santa Claus as a rotund man with merry, twinkling blue eyes Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- jolly
- festive
- cheerful
- mirthful
- jocund
- jovial
- lively
- joyful
- laughing
- happy
- sunny
- witty
- gleeful
- jocose
- blithe
- jocular
- funny
- blithesome
- amused
- bright
- playful
- smiling
- humorous
- amusing
- spirited
- delighted
- gay
- joyous
- cheery
- carefree
- giggling
- joking
- lighthearted
- upbeat
- blissful
- gladsome
- chuckling
- animated
- exuberant
- jubilant
- frisky
- lightsome
- perky
- frolicsome
- buoyant
- vivacious
- ecstatic
- jaunty
- chipper
- sprightly
- exultant
- peppy
- blessed
- jesting
- rapturous
- thrilled
- optimistic
- enraptured
- bouncing
- beaming
- overjoyed
- elated
- euphoric
- exhilarated
- hilarious
- sportive
- radiant
- riotous
- ravished
- zippy
- flippant
- tickled
- easygoing
- rosy
- unconcerned
- joshing
- high
- facetious
- hopeful
- entranced
- cavalier
- insouciant
- blest
- uproarious
- sanguine
- happy-go-lucky
- comical
- comic
- farcical
- antic
- sprightful
- devil-may-care
- sidesplitting
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unhappy
- sad
- sorrowful
- melancholy
- glum
- blue
- disconsolate
- depressed
- dispirited
- anguished
- dejected
- forlorn
- downcast
- crestfallen
- despondent
- aggrieved
- downhearted
- discontented
- heartsick
- doleful
- heartbroken
- crying
- abject
- joyless
- saddened
- brokenhearted
- mournful
- weeping
- lugubrious
- disgruntled
- wailing
- moody
- cheerless
- gloomy
- dark
- disheartened
- moaning
- sullen
- glum
- heavyhearted
- low-spirited
- morose
- dolorous
- somber
- sombre
- sobbing
- bleak
- woeful
- miserable
- dreary
- sorry
- dismal
- grey
- gray
- black
- plaintive
- desolate
- lachrymose
- wretched
- groaning
- depressing
- saturnine
- woebegone
- dull
- comfortless
- sluggish
- listless
- torpid
- lethargic
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of merry are blithe, jocund, jolly, and jovial. While all these words mean "showing high spirits or lightheartedness," merry suggests cheerful, joyous, uninhibited enjoyment of frolic or festivity.
a merry group of revelers
The synonyms blithe and merry are sometimes interchangeable, but blithe suggests carefree, innocent, or even heedless gaiety.
arrived late in his usual blithe way
Although the words jocund and merry have much in common, jocund stresses elation and exhilaration of spirits.
singing, dancing, and jocund feasting
The words jolly and merry are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, jolly suggests high spirits expressed in laughing, bantering, and jesting.
our jolly host enlivened the party
While in some cases nearly identical to merry, jovial suggests the stimulation of conviviality and good fellowship.
dinner put them in a jovial mood