What does merry mean?
Merry is an adjective meaning cheerful, happy, and full of enjoyment. It describes people, moods, and occasions: a person may be merry, a gathering may be merry, or a celebration may have a merry atmosphere. In contemporary English, the word often carries a festive or traditional flavor, especially in expressions such as “Merry Christmas” and “make merry.” It can also have a slightly old-fashioned or literary tone, so speakers may choose “happy” or “cheerful” for neutral everyday description. Historically, “merry” was associated not only with happiness but also with amusement, revelry, and celebration. The word is therefore useful for conveying warmth and festivity, while its more specific modern uses often emphasize holiday greetings or communal enjoyment.
adjectiveCheerful, happy, and full of enjoyment. In modern usage, the word often occurs in the expression “merry” as part of “merrymaking” or in traditional greetings such as “Merry Christmas.”
- Cheerful, happy, and full of enjoyment.
- Characterized by celebration, festivity, or revelry.
- Archaic or literary: pleasant, agreeable, or full of amusement.
"The village was filled with music and laughter during the merry Christmas celebration."
"She was in a merry mood after receiving the good news."
"The old song invites the singers to join in the merrymaking."
"The room had a merry atmosphere, with music and laughter filling the air."
The word “merry” has a festive history: it survives today most famously in the traditional greeting “Merry Christmas.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of merry
“Merry” descends from Old English merian, meaning pleasant, agreeable, or cheerful. Its Germanic relatives include German munter and Dutch vrolijk, which also convey cheerfulness or high spirits. The modern English word developed senses connected both with happiness and with festivity, reflected in related forms such as “mirth” and “merriment.”
Related word forms
How merry is actually used
Today, “merry” is often literary, traditional, or slightly old-fashioned. In everyday speech, “happy,” “cheerful,” and “joyful” are generally more neutral. “Merry” can also mean associated with celebration and drinking, as in “make merry.”
Easily confused with merry
A merrymaker is a person who joins in festivities, whereas merry is an adjective describing a cheerful or joyful mood or celebration.