merriness

1.9

A cheerful, lively feeling that makes people happy

noun
/ˈmɛr.i.nəs/

: alegría

Giotto went on to do such marvelous work, and he kept his funny sense of humor and merriness.

Examples

♪ The prophecy fulfilled ♪ ♪ What merriness he'll bring ♪ ♪ Now every Ozian Raise a voice and sing ♪ ♪ And sing, and sing

Wicked (2024)
How Rosina could combine the merriness of a teddy bear with the majesty of a czarina I never understood, but combine them she did.

Academic text (1996)
The children's laughter added to the merriness of the celebration.
Her merriness was infectious, lighting up the entire room.
During the holiday season, merriness fills the air as friends and families gather.

Synonyms

mirth

vsmerriness

15 6.1

Great happiness that people show by laughing

is broader, covering cheerful character beyond laughter alone

merriment

vsmerriness

14 3.4

A time of happy laughter and fun at a party or celebration

is the broader, ongoing trait of being full of joy and high spirits

gladness

vsmerriness

9 1.0

A feeling of being happy and pleased

is more lively and often includes humor and high spirits

lightness

vsmerriness

8 3.5

A cheerful, carefree feeling that makes people relaxed

leans more toward energetic liveliness and humorous high spirits

ebullience

vsmerriness

1 8.5

A feeling of cheerful, lively energy that people show

is the calmer, enduring quality of cheerful and lively spirits rather than extreme exuberance

joviality

vsmerriness

1 6.0

A cheerful, friendly mood that makes people feel good

is a general lively cheerfulness not focused on friendliness specifically

joyfulness

vsmerriness

1 2.0

A strong feeling of happiness and excitement

adds the sense of lively humor and spirited cheer beyond simple happiness

lightheartedness

vsmerriness

1 4.8

A cheerful, carefree feeling that makes people relax

is more about active lively joy and spirited humor than mere carefreeness

jollity

vsmerriness

1 7.5

A cheerful, lively feeling that people show when they enjoy themselves

is the general trait of cheerfulness rather than a momentary lively state

jolliness

vsmerriness

1 2.7

A happy, lively feeling that makes people smile

is the general state of being joyful rather than this specific label

joyousness

vsmerriness

1 3.0

A strong feeling of great happiness

is similar but emphasizes lively, humorous high spirits rather than pure joy

chirpiness

vsmerriness

Informal

1 4.4

A happy, lively mood that makes people smile

is broader and often includes humor and deeper joyous energy

jocundity

vsmerriness

Archaic

9.9

A happy, light feeling that makes people smile and laugh

is wider, covering the general quality of joyful and lively character

mirthfulness

vsmerriness

7.4

A feeling of joyful laughter that spreads to others

focuses more on the lasting cheerful quality not only laughter

gleefulness

vsmerriness

3.5

A strong feeling of happy excitement that makes you smile

is the general cheerful quality rather than this intense joyful feeling

joyance

vsmerriness

Archaic

9.9

Great happiness and lively celebration with singing and dancing

is the modern general quality of cheerfulness rather than a dated term

gladsomeness

vsmerriness

Archaic

8.9

A feeling of great happiness and pleasure

is the more active, lively form of that joyful quality

gladfulness

vsmerriness

7.2

A warm feeling of happiness and pleasure inside you

is livelier and often more humorous than this plain glad feeling

blitheness

vsmerriness

8.6

A happy, carefree feeling that makes people cheerful

is similar but stresses lively energy and humorous high spirits

breeziness

vsmerriness

4.8

A cheerful relaxed manner that makes people feel at ease

is more energetic and focused on high spirits rather than relaxed style

zestfulness

vsmerriness

5.9

A lively, happy energy that makes a person enjoy life

is more about cheerful humorous spirit than sheer energetic enthusiasm

festiveness

vsmerriness

2.9

A cheerful, lively feeling at a party or festival

is the everyday trait of cheerfulness, not only for special celebrations

Antonyms

gloominess

4.4

A sad, frowning look on a person's face

How Merry

revelry

9 6.1

mirth

15 6.1

merriness

1.9

cheerfulness

4 1.0

Surface Forms

merriness singular

merrinesses plural

Morphology

merriness = merry (transparent) = merry + ness

Standard nominalization from the adjective 'merry' using '-ness' to indicate the state or quality of being merry.

Etymology

Merriness comes from merry + -ness, where merry means 'happy' or 'full of fun' (think of 'Merry Christmas' to feel the cheer). So, merriness is the state of being 'full of joy' and lively energy.