merrymaking: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal to neutral; slightly literary or descriptive.
Quick answer
What does “merrymaking” mean?
The act of celebrating and having fun, especially with a group of people.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The act of celebrating and having fun, especially with a group of people.
Festive activities involving laughter, enjoyment, and social celebration; can imply boisterous or lively fun.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Slightly more common in British English in formal/literary contexts.
Connotations
In both varieties, can evoke images of traditional, communal festivities (village fêtes, Christmas parties).
Frequency
Low frequency in everyday speech in both regions; more common in writing, journalism, and descriptive prose.
Grammar
How to Use “merrymaking” in a Sentence
[The] merrymaking [continued/lasted/went on] [all night].There was [much/great] merrymaking [at/in] [the party].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “merrymaking” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A - 'merrymake' is obsolete.
American English
- N/A - 'merrymake' is obsolete.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- The merrymaking crowd spilled into the garden.
American English
- The merrymaking guests enjoyed the fireworks.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in internal communications about office parties: 'The post-conference merrymaking is optional.'
Academic
Rare, except in historical/cultural studies describing past social practices.
Everyday
Low frequency. Used for descriptive emphasis: 'There was a lot of merrymaking at the wedding.'
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “merrymaking”
- Using it as a verb (*'We merrymade all night'). It is a noun.
- Misspelling as 'merry-making' (hyphenated form is archaic).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Modern standard spelling is one word: 'merrymaking'. The hyphenated form 'merry-making' is considered archaic.
No. The related verb 'merrymake' exists but is obsolete. Use phrases like 'celebrate', 'make merry', or 'revel'.
It is neutral to slightly formal/literary. It's not slang, but it's not common in very casual conversation either.
'Merrymaking' emphasizes the activity and atmosphere of celebration, often communal and lively. 'Party' is a more general, neutral term for a social gathering.
The act of celebrating and having fun, especially with a group of people.
Merrymaking: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmer.iˌmeɪ.kɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmer.iˌmeɪ.kɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Merrymaking and mirth”
- “To be in the thick of the merrymaking”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'MERRY' (happy) + 'MAKING' (creating) = creating happiness and fun.
Conceptual Metaphor
CELEBRATION IS A CONTAINER OF NOISE AND ACTIVITY (e.g., 'The house was full of merrymaking').
Practice
Quiz
Which word is LEAST likely to be a synonym for 'merrymaking' in a formal context?