merry
MEH-ree
Merry (adj) means Cheerful and full of high spirits; happy and lively. Example: “The pub was full of merry laughter on Christmas Eve.”
adj
1
Cheerful and full of high spirits; happy and lively.
"The pub was full of merry laughter on Christmas Eve."
"She gave a merry little wave as the train pulled away."
"The children were merry all afternoon, singing and dancing in the garden."
2
Informal, British: slightly drunk.
"After a few glasses of wine he was getting quite merry."
"Dad got a bit merry at the wedding and started singing."
"She was only slightly merry, so she took a taxi home."
How to use merry
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCheerful and full of fun, or informally, a little tipsy.
Common pairings
merry Christmas
merry laughter
a bit merry
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Word forms
- Plural
- merries
- Comparative
- merrier
- Superlative
- merriest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The pub was full of _____ laughter on Christmas Eve.
Etymology
From Old English myrge, "pleasant, delightful," related to a Germanic root meaning "short" — the link is thought to be that pleasant time seems to pass quickly.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for merry
See all rhymes for merry →Frequently asked questions
What does “merry” mean?
The word “merry” means cheerful and full of high spirits; happy and lively. In plain terms, cheerful and full of fun, or informally, a little tipsy.
How do you pronounce “merry”?
“Merry” is pronounced MEH-ree (/ˈmɛ.ɹi/ in IPA).
How do you use “merry” in a sentence?
Here is “merry” used in a sentence: “The pub was full of merry laughter on Christmas Eve.”
What part of speech is “merry”?
“Merry” is an adjective.
Where does the word “merry” come from?
The word “merry” comes from Old English. From Old English myrge, "pleasant, delightful," related to a Germanic root meaning "short" — the link is thought to be that pleasant time seems to pass quickly.
Is “merry” a common word?
“Merry” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “merry” have?
“Merry” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: cheerful and full of high spirits; happy and lively.
What is the difference between merry and happy?
Merry describes a cheerful, lively, high-spirited kind of happiness, often associated with festive occasions and celebration, as in "Merry Christmas." Happy is a more general, everyday word for a positive emotional state that doesn't necessarily carry the same festive or boisterous quality.
Is merry a formal or informal word?
Merry has a slightly old-fashioned or festive tone in modern English and is mostly used in set phrases like "Merry Christmas" or "eat, drink and be merry," rather than in everyday casual speech. It is not considered informal, just less common in ordinary conversation.
What does merry mean in British slang?
In informal British usage, merry can mean slightly drunk, describing someone who is pleasantly tipsy rather than seriously intoxicated. This sense is milder than words like "drunk" and often has a good-natured, lighthearted tone.
