What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
gaiety
Example
The party was filled with gaiety and laughter. [gaiety: noun]
Example
She faced the challenges of life with gaiety and resilience. [gaiety: noun]
merriment
Example
The children were filled with merriment as they played in the park. [merriment: noun]
Example
He joked and teased his friends, adding to the merriment of the party. [merriment: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Merriment is more commonly used than gaiety in everyday language. Merriment is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while gaiety is less common and tends to be used in more formal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between gaiety and merriment?
Gaiety is typically associated with a more formal tone, while merriment is more casual and informal, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
