merry laugh

USAGE SUMMARY

"merry laugh" is a grammatically correct phrase that can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to a laugh that is particularly jolly, lighthearted, and spirited. For example, "The couple shared a merry laugh as they reminisced about their first date."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"You can never say red and white, it has to be cherry and white," she says, with a merry laugh.

Independent

Vhe Well The Sun is Kid behind a palm, A purple shadow fills the dell, With merry laugh the Burma maids Come trooping to the village well.

Cornell University

More often than not Miss Von Scherler, a woman with large, twinkling eyes and a merry laugh, played supporting roles, often stealing scenes.

The New York Times

In 1975, Gerry Raffles, who was not only the manager of Theatre Workshop but Joan's old man – he of the disobedient hair and deep, merry laugh, eight years her junior – died.

The Guardian

Every so often, the new puppy stumbles into the room and everyone laughs a merry laugh, shaking their well-coifed heads in perfect unison.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Merry merry.

Vice

He seems on the whole to have had a good time here, but allows himself an odd little rant apropos of a book launch: "Suddenly I hated the English all over again for their dowdiness and smugness, their horrible sense of humour, and their common sense … their sickeningly merry way of laughing at whatever is 'pretentious' or 'takes itself too seriously'.

The Guardian - Books

It taps into our love of fairy tale and memory of music-hall; and when McKellen tells us, when appearing in some outlandish rig, that "I got that for a ridiculous figure" we laugh in merry recognition of a familiar gag.

The Guardian

Boys ride wooden horses on a makeshift merry-go-round, laughing at the man with a gun sitting at the center; a woman turns toward the camera, and we glimpse a patch of skin through a small hole in her tattered burka.

The New Yorker

Let us laugh and make merry, for we are on the eve of a new era….

The New York Times

A pensive young woman with merry eyes and an easy laugh, she likes to go to the batting cage at Chelsea Piers, where she whacked away at baseballs.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "merry laugh" to depict a genuine, lighthearted, and pleasant expression of amusement. It is suitable for describing a character's reaction or setting a cheerful tone in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "merry laugh" in highly formal or serious contexts where a more neutral or sophisticated description of laughter would be more appropriate. In those situations, consider alternatives like "amused expression" or "slight chuckle".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "merry laugh" functions primarily as a descriptive element, adding detail to a noun. According to Ludwig AI, it describes a laugh that is particularly jolly, lighthearted, and spirited. It provides an affective quality, enhancing the reader's understanding of the character or situation.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Academia

20%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "merry laugh" is a grammatically correct and evocative phrase used to describe a joyful and lighthearted expression of amusement. While relatively rare in occurrence, it is suitable for a variety of contexts, particularly in descriptive writing within news and media. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. When considering its use, remember its appropriateness in formal settings and opt for alternatives when necessary to achieve the desired tone and register. The phrase effectively communicates a sense of happiness and amusement, enhancing the reader's understanding of the described scene or character.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

jolly chuckle

Replaces "laugh" with "chuckle" and "merry" with "jolly", implying a quieter, but equally cheerful, sound.

gleeful laugh

Substitutes "merry" with "gleeful", suggesting a more excited and delighted expression of laughter.

hearty laugh

Changes "merry" to "hearty", indicating a sincere, robust, and unrestrained laugh.

cheerful laugh

Uses "cheerful" instead of "merry", maintaining the positive connotation with a slight shift in tone.

lighthearted laugh

Replaces "merry" with "lighthearted", emphasizing the carefree and joyful nature of the laughter.

happy laugh

Substitutes "merry" with "happy", offering a simpler and more direct expression of joyful laughter.

joyful burst of laughter

Expands "laugh" to "burst of laughter" and replaces "merry" with "joyful", emphasizing the sudden and exuberant nature of the sound.

delighted giggle

Replaces "laugh" with "giggle" and "merry" with "delighted", suggesting a more childlike and high-pitched expression of amusement.

amused chuckle

Changes "laugh" to "chuckle" and "merry" to "amused", indicating a quiet and gentle expression of amusement.

spirited laugh

Replaces "merry" with "spirited", highlighting the enthusiastic and lively quality of the laughter.

FAQs

How can I describe a "merry laugh"?

A "merry laugh" is characterized by its lighthearted, joyful, and pleasant sound. It suggests genuine amusement and a cheerful disposition.

What words are similar to "merry" in "merry laugh"?

Similar words to "merry" in this context include "jolly", "gleeful", "cheerful", and "lighthearted". They all convey a sense of happiness and amusement.

Is "merry laugh" suitable for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "merry laugh" might be too informal for some formal contexts. Consider more neutral or sophisticated alternatives like "amused expression" or "light chuckle".

What is the difference between a "merry laugh" and a "hearty laugh"?

A "merry laugh" implies lighthearted joy, while a "hearty laugh" suggests a more robust, sincere, and unrestrained expression of amusement.