merry-bells: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low/RareLiterary, Regional, Botanical (informal)
Quick answer
What does “merry-bells” mean?
A flowering plant with drooping, bell-shaped flowers, typically of the genus Uvularia.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A flowering plant with drooping, bell-shaped flowers, typically of the genus Uvularia.
A colloquial or poetic name for woodland wildflowers with pendulous, bell-like blossoms; can refer to various species in different regions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, it is extremely rare and might be recognised only in historical botanical texts or poetry. In American English, it is a known folk name for certain native wildflowers, particularly in the Eastern US.
Connotations
UK: archaic, poetic. US: rustic, regional, nature-related.
Frequency
Virtually never used in modern UK speech or writing. Has occasional, specialised use in American nature writing and regional speech.
Grammar
How to Use “merry-bells” in a Sentence
The [adjective] merry-bells [verb]...We saw merry-bells [prepositional phrase].Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Rarely used outside historical botany or literary studies.
Everyday
Extremely rare; would be recognised only by gardening enthusiasts or in specific rural American communities.
Technical
Informal name in horticulture and field guides for certain species of Uvularia.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “merry-bells”
- Using it as a general term for any bell-shaped flower.
- Spelling it as 'merrybells' or 'merry bells' without the hyphen when referring to the plant.
- Assuming it is a common, widely recognised term.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency, specialised term. It is a folk name for certain plants, not a word used in general conversation.
It most commonly refers to plants in the genus Uvularia, such as Uvularia grandiflora (Large-flowered Bellwort), native to eastern North America.
Only if you are writing about poetry, regional dialects, or informal botany. In a scientific botany paper, you should use the Latin genus name Uvularia.
They are often used interchangeably as common names for the same group of plants (Uvularia). 'Bellwort' is slightly more common in field guides.
A flowering plant with drooping, bell-shaped flowers, typically of the genus Uvularia.
Merry-bells is usually literary, regional, botanical (informal) in register.
Merry-bells: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɛri bɛlz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɛri bɛlz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'merry' (happy) and 'bells' (shapes) – happy little bell-shaped flowers in the woods.
Conceptual Metaphor
NATURE IS A CELEBRATION (the flowers are like little celebratory bells).
Practice
Quiz
'Merry-bells' is best described as: