merry

mer-ry · adjective

imported

Definitions

adjective

  1. 1.

    Cheerful and lively; full of high spirits and gaiety.

  2. 2.

    (Of an occasion) characterized by festivity and celebration.

  3. 3.

    (Informal, British) Slightly drunk; tipsy.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    Merry Christmas — a traditional holiday greeting
  • •
    make merry — to celebrate with feasting and enjoyment
  • •
    the more the merrier — a greater number of people will make an event more enjoyable
  • •
    merry-go-round — a rotating amusement ride; also, a continuous cycle of activity

Related words

Antonyms: gloomy, melancholy, sad, somber
See also: cheerful, festive, jolly, mirth
Synonyms: cheerful, festive, happy, jolly, joyful

Etymology

From Old English myrige ("pleasant, agreeable, delightful"), from Proto-Germanic murgijaz. Related to mirth. The word originally had broader meanings of pleasantness before narrowing to its current sense of cheerfulness.