merry
gb/mˈɛɹi/ us/mˈɛɹi/
B2
Inglés
~ 8600
Acepciones
0 acepciones
adjective
B2
state
1
feeling happy and cheerful
Feeling very happy and full of energy, and showing it.
Patrón de uso:
[someone] is/feels/looks merry
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes use "merry" instead of the much more common word "happy" in everyday speech (for example, saying "I feel merry today" can sound a bit old-fashioned). In modern English, "merry" is frequent in set phrases and special situations, while "happy" is the normal choice for most contexts.
Sinónimos
cheerful (Very close in meaning; the most common everyday alternative.)
|
jolly (Similar but a bit more informal and old-fashioned; often sounds warm and playful.)
Antónimos
sad (General opposite, without the idea of light, lively happiness.)
|
miserable (Stronger opposite, suggesting deep unhappiness rather than light cheerfulness.)
Colocaciones
feel merry
|merry mood
|merry smile
|keep everyone merry
|merry laughter
|merry company
Temas
emotions
|social
|daily life
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- By the end of the evening, everyone was feeling merry and relaxed.
- She walked in with a merry smile that brightened the whole room.
- The children grew more and more merry as the party went on.
- His merry laugh carried across the garden.
- Despite the rain, the hikers stayed merry and kept joking with one another.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- The children are very merry at the party.
- He looks merry when he talks about his new job.
- Her merry laugh makes other people smile.
- They were merry after hearing the good news.
- I like his merry and friendly face.
adjective
B2
property
2
cheerful and festive (event)
Full of happy feeling, fun, and activity, especially at a party, holiday, or special time.
Patrón de uso:
[event/occasion/atmosphere] is/feels merry
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes think "merry" is only used with Christmas, but it can also describe other parties and happy events. However, in everyday modern English, people more often say "fun" or "great" for parties, and "festive" for a holiday atmosphere.
Sinónimos
festive (Very close in meaning, especially for holidays and parties; slightly more common in modern usage.)
|
jovial (Suggests a warm, hearty kind of merriness; a bit more formal or literary.)
Antónimos
dull (Focuses on lack of fun or liveliness, the opposite of a merry atmosphere.)
|
somber (Emphasizes a serious or dark mood, which contrasts with a merry, bright feeling.)
Colocaciones
merry party
|merry gathering
|merry celebration
|merry evening
|merry song
|a merry time
Temas
celebrations
|social
|daily life
|daily_life
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- The house was full of merry voices and music late into the night.
- They had a small but very merry celebration with close friends.
- We spent a merry evening playing games around the fire.
- The streets were crowded and merry during the festival.
- A merry tune was playing in the background as the guests arrived.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- It was a merry party with a lot of dancing.
- We had a merry time with our family last night.
- The room felt merry with lights and music.
- They enjoyed a merry evening together at the restaurant.
- The city is very merry during the holiday season.
adjective
informal
C1
state
3
slightly drunk in a happy way
Having had enough alcohol to feel happy and a little drunk, but still in control.
Patrón de uso:
[someone] is/gets a bit merry
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes think "merry" always means very drunk, but it usually suggests only light or moderate drunkenness, with a happy mood. It is more common in British English and in polite or slightly humorous descriptions.
Sinónimos
tipsy (Very close in meaning; the most common neutral term for being slightly drunk.)
|
buzzed (Informal and mainly American; sounds more casual and modern than "merry".)
Antónimos
sober (Direct opposite: not having had alcohol, or not affected by it.)
Colocaciones
a bit merry
|get merry
|feeling merry
|slightly merry
|pleasantly merry
|rather merry
Temas
alcohol
|social
|daily life
|daily_life
|health
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- After two glasses of wine she was starting to feel merry.
- He gets a bit merry after just one strong beer.
- They were all pleasantly merry by midnight, laughing at every joke.
- By the end of the wedding, the best man was clearly merry.
- We left before everyone got too merry and loud.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- He was a bit merry after the party.
- She feels merry after two glasses of wine.
- They were merry but not drunk and crazy.
- I get merry very quickly when I drink wine.
- Everyone was merry and laughing in the bar.
Gramática
Forma de diccionario
merry
AFI
GB/mˈɛɹi/
US/mˈɛɹi/
Sílabas y acento
merry (1 sílaba)
Stress on 1st syllable (merry)
Formas de la palabra
Adjective
- Base: merry
- Comparative: merrier
- Superlative: merriest
Familia de palabras
Expresiones
eat, drink and be merry
1/ˈit | dɹˈɪŋk ˈænd bˈi mˈɛɹi/
idiom
enjoy food, drink, and fun
To relax and have a good time, especially by eating, drinking (often alcohol), and enjoying yourself with other people.
Ejemplos
- It was the end of exams, so they decided to eat, drink and be merry all weekend.
- The festival is a time to eat, drink and be merry with family and friends.
go on your merry way
1/ɡˈoʊ ˈɔn jˈʊɹ mˈɛɹi wˈeɪ/
idiom
informal
continue on in a relaxed way
To continue with your life, plans, or journey in a relaxed and unconcerned way.
Ejemplos
- He finished his coffee and went on his merry way.
- You can sign the form here and then go on your merry way.
make merry
1/mˈeɪk mˈɛɹi/
idiom
celebrate in a lively way
To enjoy yourself by laughing, singing, dancing, or partying in a happy and lively way.
Ejemplos
- They made merry late into the night after the team won.
- Crowds filled the streets to make merry during the carnival.
send someone on their merry way
1/sˈɛnd sˈʌmwˌʌn ˈɔn ðˈɛɹ mˈɛɹi wˈeɪ/
idiom
informal
politely send someone away
To tell or allow someone to leave and continue with their life or plans, often in a light or humorous way.
Ejemplos
- After giving us our tickets, the clerk smiled and sent us on our merry way.
- The doctor checked him, said he was fine, and sent him on his merry way.
Merry Christmas
1/mˈɛɹi kɹˈɪsməs/
fixed phrase
Christmas greeting phrase
What you say to wish someone happiness at Christmas.
Ejemplos
- Merry Christmas to you and your family!
- She called her parents to say, "Merry Christmas!" before they opened their presents.
- She called to say Merry Christmas before we left.
- People in the street smiled and wished each other a Merry Christmas.
the more the merrier
1/ðə mˈɔɹ ðə mˈɛɹiɚ/
idiom
informal
better with more people/things
It’s better when there are more people or things involved.
Ejemplos
- You can invite your friends— the more the merrier!
- If others want to join us, the more the merrier.
the more the merrier
2/ðə mˈɔɹ ðə mˈɛɹiɚ/
idiom
more people makes it better
Used to say that you are happy for more people or things to join, because it will make the situation better or more fun.
Ejemplos
- "Can I bring a friend to the game?" "Of course, the more the merrier!"
- They invited extra guests at the last minute, saying, "The more the merrier."
the more the merrier
8/ðə mˈɔɹ ðə mˈɛɹiɚ/
idiom
informal
more people are welcome
Use this to say extra people are welcome.
Ejemplos
- Can I bring my sister to the party? Sure—the more the merrier.
- We need volunteers, and the more the merrier.
- Invite your friends too. The more the merrier.