What does merryman mean?
A merryman is a cheerful, jolly, or merry man, especially one associated with festivity, laughter, and entertainment. The word also has an older sense referring to a jester or comic performer. Although it is not common in modern everyday English, it remains recognizable through traditional stories and phrases involving Robin Hood and his merry men, as well as through theatrical and literary descriptions of entertainers. Its sound gives it an immediately warm and humorous quality, while its rarity can suggest old-fashioned folklore, carnival culture, or theatrical merrymaking. In contemporary writing, “merryman” usually appears when an author wants to evoke celebration, comic character, or a distinctly literary atmosphere rather than simply say “cheerful man.” The standard plural is “merrymen.”
nounA cheerful, jolly, or merry man. In older and literary contexts, it can also refer to a jester or comic entertainer.
- A cheerful, jolly, or merry man.
- A jester or comic entertainer, especially in older or literary usage.
"The village welcomed the wandering merryman with laughter and song."
"The innkeeper hired a merryman to entertain the guests during the feast."
"The novel presents the old clown as a merryman whose jokes conceal deeper sadness."
The standard plural is used for a group of merrymen or, collectively, for Robin Hood's companions.
"The merrymen of Robin Hood gathered beneath the forest trees."
“Merryman” has a Robin Hood streak: its most famous company is a band of festive outlaws.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of merryman
Merryman is an English compound formed from “merry” and “man.” The adjective “merry” comes through Middle English from Old English myrċe, meaning “pleasant” or “agreeable,” and is related to “mirth,” while “man” is the ordinary English noun. The compound became associated with jovial companions and entertainers, including Robin Hood's legendary band and theatrical fools or jesters.
Related word forms
How merryman is actually used
The word is now rare and literary rather than common in everyday speech. It often carries a festive, humorous, or faintly old-fashioned tone, and is especially familiar through the phrase “Robin Hood and his merry men.”
Easily confused with merryman
A merryman is a cheerful or jolly man, whereas a merman is a mythical male sea creature, traditionally depicted with a fish's tail.