merry

adjective mer·ry \ˈmer-ē, ˈme-rē\

: very happy and cheerful : feeling or showing joy and happiness

: causing joy and happiness

mer·ri·ermer·ri·est

Full Definition of MERRY

archaic : giving pleasure : delightful

: full of gaiety or high spirits : mirthful

: marked by festivity or gaiety

: quick, brisk <a merry pace>

— mer·ri·ly \ˈmer-ə-lē, ˈme-rə-\ adverb

— mer·ri·ness \ˈmer-ē-nəs, ˈme-rē-\ noun

See merry defined for English-language learners

See merry defined for kids

Origin of MERRY

Middle English mery, from Old English myrge, merge; akin to Old High German murg short — more at brief

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to MERRY

Synonyms: blithesome, festive, gay, gleeful, jocose, jocular, jocund, jolly, jovial, laughing, mirthful, sunny

Synonym Discussion of 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>.

MERRINESS Defined for Kids