merry

Adjective
Synonyms: gayjocundjollyjovialmirthfulfestalfestivealertbrisklivelyrattlingsnappy

WordNet 3.0

Adjective (3)

  1. full of or showing high-spirited merriment“when hearts were young and gay”“a poet could not but be gay, in such a jocund company — Wordsworth”“the jolly crowd at the reunion”“jolly old Saint Nick”“a jovial old gentleman”“have a merry Christmas”“peals of merry laughter”“a mirthful laugh”Synonyms: gayjocundjollyjovialmirthful
  2. offering fun and gaiety“a festive (or festal) occasion”“gay and exciting night life”“a merry evening”Synonyms: gayfestalfestive
  3. quick and energetic“a brisk walk in the park”“a lively gait”“a merry chase”“traveling at a rattling rate”“a snappy pace”“a spanking breeze”Synonyms: alertbrisklivelyrattlingsnappyspankingzippy
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Merry \Mer"ry\ (m[e^]r"r[y^]), n. (Bot.) A kind of wild red cherry. [1913 Webster]
Merry \Mer"ry\, a. [Compar. Merrier; superl. Merriest.] [OE. merie, mirie, murie, merry, pleasant, AS. merge, myrige, pleasant; cf. murge, adv.; prob. akin to OHG. murg, short, Goth. gama['u]rgjan to shorten; cf. L. murcus a coward, who cuts off his thumb to escape military service; the Anglo-Saxon and English meanings coming from the idea of making the time seem short. Cf. Mirth.]

1.Laughingly gay; overflowing with good humor and good spirits; jovial; inclined to laughter or play; sportive. [1913 Webster]

They drank, and were merry with him.— Gen. xliii. 34.[1913 Webster]
I am never merry when I hear sweet music.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

2.Cheerful; joyous; not sad; happy. [1913 Webster]

Is any merry? let him sing psalms.— Jas. v. 13.[1913 Webster]

3.Causing laughter, mirth, gladness, or delight; as, a merry jest. "Merry wind and weather." --Spenser. [1913 Webster]

Merry dancers. See under Dancer.

Merry men, followers; retainers. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

His merie men commanded he To make him bothe game and glee.— Chaucer.[1913 Webster]

To make merry, to be jovial; to indulge in hilarity; to feast with mirth. --Judg. ix. 27. [1913 Webster]

Syn: Cheerful; blithe; lively; sprightly; vivacious; gleeful; joyous; mirthful; jocund; sportive; hilarious. [1913 Webster]

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