What does merriment mean?
Merriment describes cheerful amusement, laughter, and the lively enjoyment associated with celebrations and social gatherings. It is often used for communal or festive occasions, as in a phrase describing a room filled with music, laughter, and merriment. The word carries a distinctly positive and convivial connotation, suggesting more than a brief laugh: it evokes a sustained atmosphere of good cheer, playfulness, and delight. Although it can refer to amusement in general, it is especially appropriate when people are enjoying a shared occasion together. In contemporary English, merriment is less common and somewhat more literary than words such as 'mirth,' 'fun,' or 'laughter,' but it remains an elegant and expressive choice for describing joyful celebrations.
nounMerriment is cheerful amusement or the expression of joy and laughter, especially in a social or festive setting. It conveys a sense of lively, lighthearted enjoyment.
- Cheerful amusement or lively enjoyment, especially at a celebration or social gathering.
"The music and laughter filled the hall with merriment."
"The gathering was filled with laughter and merriment."
"Her sharp wit was the source of much merriment at the dinner party."
The plural is grammatically possible but uncommon; merriment is normally used as an uncountable noun.
"The evening's merriments continued well into the night."
Merriment is the sound of a celebration that has nothing to do with fireworks: it is laughter, music, and good cheer in one word.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does merriment come from?
Merriment comes from Middle English merryment, formed from 'merry' and the suffix '-ment'. The adjective 'merry' is related to 'mirth' and ultimately to an Old English word associated with joy or pleasantness. The '-ment' suffix was used in English to form nouns indicating a state, action, or condition, so merryment originally expressed the condition of being merry.
How merriment is actually used
Merriment is usually an uncountable noun in modern English and has a warm, festive tone. It is somewhat literary or old-fashioned compared with the more everyday word 'fun'.
Easily confused with merriment
Mirth refers more broadly to amusement, joy, or laughter, whereas merriment often emphasizes a festive or social atmosphere of cheerfulness.