What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
happily
Example
She smiled happily when she saw her friend. [happily: adverb]
Example
He happily agreed to help his neighbor move the furniture. [happily: adverb]
merrily
Example
The children sang merrily as they walked to school. [merrily: adverb]
Example
The guests danced merrily at the wedding reception. [merrily: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Happily is more commonly used than merrily in everyday language, and is more versatile in terms of usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between happily and merrily?
Happily can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while merrily is typically associated with a more informal and playful tone.
