merry note

USAGE SUMMARY

"merry note" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something cheerful, or to express joy or amusement. For example, "The song had a merry note that made everyone smile."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

There is, it seems, more to an owl's hoot than the merry note Shakespeare identified in "Love's Labour's Lost".

The Economist

Carter sends a merry note to the writer, explaining that he used the money to pay some other debts and to buy a lot of clay.

The New Yorker

William Shakespeare used this owl's song in Love's Labour's Lost (Act 5, Scene 2) as "Then nightly sings the staring owl, Tu-whit; Tu-who, a merry note, While greasy Joan doth keel the pot", but this stereotypical call is actually a duet, with the female making the kew-wick sound, and the male responding hooo.

Wikipedia

When icicles hang by the wall And Dick the shepherd blows his nail And Tom bears logs into the hall, And milk comes frozen home in pail, When Blood is nipped and ways be foul, Then nightly sings the staring owl, Tu-who; Tu-whit, tu-who: a merry note, While greasy Joan doth keel the pot.

Huffington Post

When all aloud the wind doth blow, And coughing drowns the parson's saw, And birds sit brooding in the snow, And Marian's nose looks red and raw When roasted crabs hiss in the bowl, Then nightly sings the staring owl, Tu-who; Tu-whit, tu-who: a merry note, While greasy Joan doth keel the pot.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Merry merry.

Vice

Tu-whit, to-whoo, a merry note…".

BBC

"John Terry could not organise a revolution on a merry-go-round," notes Sean Cassidy.

The Guardian - Sport

The tone is merry.

The New York Times - Arts

The song soon founders with the next line: "in the merry, merry month of December…May".

BBC

New York Post Robert Rorke reviewed the numerous characters with heavy romantic development, noting perpetual "merry-go-round of hookups, breakups and makeup sex", while describing the lack of sentimental involvement of Katherine Heigl's character in the first half of the season.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "merry note" to evoke a sense of old-fashioned cheerfulness, especially when referencing literature or historical contexts.

Common error

While "merry note" is grammatically sound, it might sound archaic in contemporary writing. Consider using more modern synonyms like "cheerful tone" or "happy melody" to maintain relevance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "merry note" functions primarily as a descriptive element, modifying a noun to convey a sense of cheerfulness or pleasantness. It is used to add a positive and lighthearted quality to the described sound or expression.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "merry note" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe something cheerful or pleasant. However, its usage is relatively rare and may sound somewhat archaic in modern contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is most commonly found in News & Media and Wiki sources. When writing, consider whether a more contemporary alternative like "cheerful tone" or "happy melody" might be more appropriate for your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cheerful tone

Changes the noun from "note" to "tone", emphasizing the overall quality of sound or expression.

joyful sound

Replaces both words with synonyms focusing on the feeling and auditory aspect.

happy melody

Substitutes "note" with "melody" suggesting a sequence of musical notes that evokes happiness and replaces "merry" with a synonym.

lighthearted tune

Uses "lighthearted" instead of "merry" to describe the tune, indicating a carefree and joyful quality.

pleasant harmony

Focuses on the harmonious and agreeable nature of the sound.

blithe strain

Replaces "note" with "strain", which is a musical phrase or passage, and "merry" with "blithe", indicating carefree happiness.

festive air

Shifts from a musical connotation to a general atmosphere of celebration and joy.

gleeful cadence

Emphasizes the rhythmic and joyful flow of the sound.

jovial resonance

Highlights the warm and friendly quality of the sound.

spirited lilt

Indicates a lively and rhythmic quality of sound.

FAQs

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

You can use "merry note" to describe something cheerful or pleasant, especially in a literary or historical context. For example, "The owl's hoot added a "merry note" to the winter night."

What's a more modern alternative to "merry note"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "cheerful tone", "happy melody", or "joyful sound" to convey a similar meaning in a more contemporary style.

Is "merry note" formal or informal?

"Merry note" tends to lean towards the formal side, often found in literary or descriptive writing. It might not be the best choice for casual conversation.

What does "merry" mean in "merry note"?

In the phrase "merry note", "merry" means cheerful, lighthearted, or joyous. It adds a sense of happiness and pleasantness to the "note" or sound being described.