What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
joyfully
Example
She smiled joyfully when she saw her family after a long time. [joyfully: adverb]
Example
The children played joyfully in the park, enjoying the sunshine. [joyfully: adverb]
merrily
Example
The group sang merrily around the campfire, enjoying each other's company. [merrily: adverb]
Example
The children skipped merrily down the street, laughing and joking with each other. [merrily: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Joyfully is more commonly used than merrily in everyday language. Joyfully is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while merrily is less common and often used in more informal or playful situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between joyfully and merrily?
Both joyfully and merrily are associated with an informal and casual tone. However, joyfully can be used in more formal contexts, while merrily is typically reserved for more informal or playful situations.
