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MERRY
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
Irregular inflected forms: merrier , merriest
I. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Quick and energetic
Example:
a spanking breeze
Synonyms:
alert; brisk; lively; merry; rattling; snappy; spanking; zippy
Classified under:
Similar:
energetic (possessing or exerting or displaying energy)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Offering fun and gaiety
Example:
a merry evening
Synonyms:
Classified under:
Similar:
joyous (full of or characterized by joy)
Derivation:
merriness (the trait of merry joking)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Full of or showing high-spirited merriment
Example:
a mirthful laugh
Synonyms:
gay; jocund; jolly; jovial; merry; mirthful
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
joyous (full of or characterized by joy)
Derivation:
merriness (the trait of merry joking)
Context examples:
It was a merry, joyous party, and no one seemed in higher spirits than Captain Wentworth.
(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)
The cheery answer came with so merry a ring that the clouds cleared from my uncle’s face.
(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
As the Miss Dashwoods entered the drawing-room of the park the next day, at one door, Mrs. Palmer came running in at the other, looking as good humoured and merry as before.
(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)
There must be a sort of shyness; but I cannot recollect that our evenings formerly were ever merry, except when my uncle was in town.
(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)
He broke out in a merry whistle, which quickly became lugubrious and ceased.
(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)
He looked so earnest over it that I shall never again think that a man must be playful always, and never earnest, because he is merry at times.
(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)
“‘When the topmen clear the raffle with their clasp-knives in their teeth,’” she quoted at me; and for the rest of the afternoon we made merry over our labour.
(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)
As I strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever.
(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
His age may have been nearer forty than thirty, but his cheeks were so ruddy and his eyes so merry that he still conveyed the impression of a plump and mischievous boy.
(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
The merry lilt with which he had invested the jingle was at variance with the dejection that came into his face as he finished.
(Martin Eden, by Jack London)
