merrymaker: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low Frequency (C2)Formal/Literary, occasionally journalistic. Slightly dated or whimsical.
Quick answer
What does “merrymaker” mean?
A person who is celebrating, enjoying themselves, and encouraging others to have fun at a social event.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who is celebrating, enjoying themselves, and encouraging others to have fun at a social event.
Someone who actively participates in and adds to the festive, lively, or celebratory atmosphere of an occasion, often by being sociable, enthusiastic, and cheerful.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Slightly more common in British English due to its traditional, slightly archaic feel.
Connotations
Connotes traditional festivity, possibly Christmas (e.g., Victorian Christmas merrymakers). Can have a quaint, picturesque, or slightly old-fashioned tone in both varieties.
Frequency
Rare in everyday conversation in both regions. More likely found in writing, especially descriptive prose about parties, historical events, or seasonal celebrations.
Grammar
How to Use “merrymaker” in a Sentence
[Determiner] + merrymaker + [prepositional phrase: at/in the...]The merrymakers + [verb of activity: sang, laughed, reveled]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “merrymaker” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- 'To merrymake' is an archaic verb not in modern use.
- The villagers would traditionally merrymake throughout the holiday.
American English
- 'To merrymake' is an obsolete term.
- They were said to merrymake well into the early hours.
adverb
British English
- They celebrated merrymakingly, with great enthusiasm. (Extremely rare/constructed)
- N/A
American English
- N/A
- N/A
adjective
British English
- The merrymaking crowd filled the pub.
- A merrymaking spirit took hold of the group.
American English
- The merrymaking throng moved through the streets.
- A merrymaking atmosphere pervaded the hall.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Rare, possibly in historical or cultural studies describing social rituals.
Everyday
Very rare. Might be used humorously or descriptively.
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “merrymaker”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “merrymaker”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “merrymaker”
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'They merrymade all night' is non-standard).
- Using it to describe someone who is simply happy in a non-festive context.
- Misspelling as 'merry-maker' (hyphenated form is less common today).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency word with a slightly old-fashioned or literary feel. It's more common in descriptive writing than in everyday speech.
It can, but it carries connotations of lively, traditional, or communal festivity. It sounds less natural for a small, quiet gathering and more apt for a boisterous, celebratory event.
They are very close synonyms. 'Reveler' (US: 'reveler', UK: 'reveller') is more common and can imply slightly more unrestrained or noisy partying. 'Merrymaker' can sound more quaint or innocent.
The verb 'to merrymake' exists but is considered archaic and is almost never used in contemporary English. The modern phrase would be 'to celebrate' or 'to revel'.
A person who is celebrating, enjoying themselves, and encouraging others to have fun at a social event.
Merrymaker is usually formal/literary, occasionally journalistic. slightly dated or whimsical. in register.
Merrymaker: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmer.iˌmeɪ.kər/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmer.iˌmeɪ.kɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly associated; related to the spirit of 'eat, drink, and be merry'.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of someone who MAKES others MERRY at a party. A merry-MAKER.
Conceptual Metaphor
FESTIVITY IS A CONSTRUCTED OBJECT / JOY IS A PRODUCT (the 'maker' creates merriment).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'merrymaker' LEAST likely to be used?