What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
merry
Example
The children were merry as they played in the snow. [merry: adjective]
Example
He laughed merrily at the joke. [merrily: adverb]
mirthful
Example
The comedian's jokes were so mirthful that the audience couldn't stop laughing. [mirthful: adjective]
Example
She giggled mirthfully at her friend's silly antics. [mirthfully: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Merry is more common than mirthful in everyday language and is used in a variety of contexts, especially during the holiday season. Mirthful is less common but is still used to describe situations or people that are particularly funny or amusing.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between merry and mirthful?
Both merry and mirthful are informal words that are suitable for casual conversations and writing. However, mirthful may sound slightly more formal due to its Latin roots.
