merry face

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "merry face" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who has a joyful or cheerful expression, often associated with happiness or celebration. Example: "She greeted everyone with a merry face, spreading joy throughout the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Fill your glass again, with a merry face and contented heart.

Independent

His girth and merry face give him an air of Old St. Nick.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

He describes the face of one "somewhat rotund 50-something poetess" as being "etched in a kind of merry grimace"; of a nearly inaudible painter, he writes, "People who speak in whispers are almost always insane.

The New York Times - Books

Merry merry.

Vice

Bouncing castle, trampoline, merry-go-round, face painting, or in my case, bicep -- hey!

Huffington Post

Her eyes were clear and merry, her face pale in the August sun.

The Guardian

I couldn't face this merry hell without my creature comforts.

The Guardian - Music

His head is shaved, his features round and boyish, with half-moon brows — a merry mask of a face, as of some impish spirit.

The New Yorker

The first thing they saw in the darkened room was the orange-jumpsuited detainee — and Mr. Powers's son, sitting atop him with a merry grin on his face.

The New York Times - Arts

And then, when I subsequently gave merry chase on Sad Face, my famed and noble steed, the milk cart only rode the faster!

Vice

There were even some smiling faces and merry voices.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "merry face" to specifically describe a countenance that reflects cheerfulness and joy, particularly in festive or celebratory contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "merry face" in highly formal or serious writing. Opt for alternatives like "joyful expression" or "cheerful demeanor" to maintain a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "merry face" primarily functions as a descriptive adjective phrase modifying a noun. Ludwig AI confirms this, showing its use to describe someone's appearance or expression. The adjective "merry" qualifies the noun "face", indicating a joyful or cheerful countenance.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "merry face" is a descriptive phrase that conveys a joyful or cheerful facial expression. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and primarily used in news and media contexts. While somewhat infrequent, its usage is appropriate for describing someone's positive emotional state. Consider alternatives like "joyful countenance" or "cheerful visage" for more formal writing. Though not excessively common, Ludwig's examples showcase "merry face" in use by reputable news sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

joyful countenance

Replaces "merry" with "joyful" and "face" with "countenance", offering a more formal tone.

cheerful visage

Substitutes "merry" with "cheerful" and "face" with "visage", conveying a similar meaning with slightly elevated language.

happy expression

Uses "happy" instead of "merry" and "expression" instead of "face", resulting in a more general and common phrase.

gleaming face

Focuses on the radiant quality of the face, using "gleaming" to suggest brightness and joy.

smiling face

Emphasizes the smile as the primary indicator of happiness, replacing "merry" with the more direct "smiling".

radiant smile

Shifts the focus to the smile itself, describing it as "radiant" to highlight its brightness and warmth.

lighthearted demeanor

Moves beyond the face to encompass the overall demeanor, using "lighthearted" to suggest a joyful and carefree attitude.

jovial look

Replaces "merry" with "jovial", giving more emphasis on a humoristic approach.

blithe expression

Substitutes "merry" with "blithe" to suggest carefreeness.

sunny disposition

Conveys an overall positive and optimistic attitude, extending beyond just the facial expression.

FAQs

What does "merry face" mean?

A "merry face" describes a facial expression that conveys happiness, joy, or cheerfulness. It suggests a person is in a pleasant and festive mood.

What are some synonyms for "merry face"?

Alternatives to "merry face" include "joyful countenance", "cheerful visage", or "happy expression", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How can I use "merry face" in a sentence?

You can use "merry face" to describe someone's appearance, such as, "She greeted us with a merry face, making us feel welcome." It implies the person's joy is evident in their expression.

Is "merry face" formal or informal?

"Merry face" leans toward being slightly informal. In very formal contexts, consider using phrases like "joyful demeanor" or "cheerful countenance".