merry

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "merry" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone's cheerful and life-loving attitude, i.e. "The old man was always merry despite his age".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

These poor people's bad luck was my comedy gold, as I spent a very merry evening repeating the phrase, "So, what you're saying is… Mos def-initely won't be coming?" The Sunday was all about the hamam, so we left our resentful-looking baby with a very experienced sitter for the day.

The Guardian - Travel

If any money came his way, and it seldom did, he immediately bought gourds of palm-wine, called round his neighbours and made merry.

The Guardian - Books

On the eve of the fight, he weighed in at a respectable 220 pounds, pocketed his bonus and looked to make merry: "The day before the fight I also had two maids at the same time.

The Guardian - Sport

"I am a scout so I have to do my duty – and be cheerful and merry.

The Guardian

As we headed outside, we were a very merry bunch.

The Guardian

It was a fix by Unite's merry men in 2010 that stopped David, and we cannot have that again.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

The British foreign secretary William Hague will also join the Middle East diplomatic merry-go-round this week, with a visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories beginning on Thursday.

The Guardian

Warchus's appointment continues something of a theatre-boss merry-go-round with Rufus Norris taking over from Nicholas Hytner at the National Theatre this year and, last year, Gregory Doran succeeding Michael Boyd at the RSC, Vicky Featherstone succeeding Dominic Cooke at the Royal Court and Josie Rourke succeeding Michael Grandage at the Donmar Warehouse.

The Guardian

Ahead of the vote they face this evening, Liberal Democrat MPs will today be reflecting on the less-than-merry dance by which their leaders have come to ask them to walk "through the fire" and triple the university fees they had promised to abolish at the election.

The Guardian - Opinion

However, when things take a downturn, instead of opting for the gamble of a mid-season sacking or ending up at the mercy of a predictable end-of-term managerial merry-go-round, maybe a bit of increased effort in support from the club's side wouldn't go amiss?

The Guardian - Sport

"Generation Unbound" is clear, concise and admirably fair-minded.In this section Helping hands Questions, questions The new merry-go-round The worldly wonks Time to get serious Say it with mirrors ReprintsIt describes the vast changes that have occurred since the sexual revolution of the 1960s.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "merry" with nouns describing events or periods to create a festive atmosphere, such as "merry Christmas" or "merry gathering".

Common error

While "merry" is suitable for festive or lighthearted situations, avoid using it in formal or professional settings where a more serious or neutral tone is required. Opt for alternatives like "happy" or "pleasant" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "merry" is as an adjective. It typically modifies nouns to describe a state of joy, cheerfulness, or festivity. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Formal & Business

28%

Science

26%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "merry" is a versatile adjective used to describe a state of happiness, cheerfulness, or festivity. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and appropriateness across a variety of contexts. While it is commonly associated with festive occasions like Christmas, its usage extends to general expressions of joy and lightheartedness. While appropriate for a wide range of contexts, it is recommended to be cautious in highly formal and professional environments where a more neutral tone may be preferred. Consider alternatives such as "joyful", "cheerful", or "happy" to convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

joyful

Emphasizes a deep sense of happiness and delight, focusing on the internal emotional state.

cheerful

Highlights a consistently optimistic and bright disposition, indicating a positive outlook.

jovial

Suggests a hearty and good-humored spirit, often associated with being sociable and friendly.

festive

Focuses on the celebratory and joyous atmosphere of an event or occasion.

gleeful

Implies unrestrained joy and excitement, often expressed outwardly.

blithe

Indicates a carefree and lighthearted nature, sometimes to the point of being indifferent.

happy

A general term for feeling pleasure and contentment, less intense than "merry".

mirthful

Characterized by laughter and amusement, highlighting the expression of joy.

exuberant

Conveys a sense of overflowing enthusiasm and energy, often very outwardly expressed.

lighthearted

Describes a carefree and cheerful attitude, lacking seriousness or worry.

FAQs

How can I use "merry" in a sentence?

You can use "merry" to describe a feeling of happiness or a festive occasion. For instance, "They had a "merry Christmas"" or "He was a "merry fellow"".

What are some synonyms for "merry"?

Alternatives to "merry" include "joyful", "cheerful", "festive", and "jovial". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "merry" versus "happy"?

"Merry" often suggests a more outwardly expressed, buoyant joy, particularly associated with celebrations. "Happy" is a more general term for feeling content. You might say "Merry Christmas" to convey festive cheer, but "I'm happy to see you" to express general pleasure.

Is "merry" suitable for formal writing?

While acceptable, "merry" is generally more appropriate for informal or festive contexts. In formal writing, consider alternatives like "happy", "joyful", or "pleasant" for a more professional tone.