emphasis Some people use merry to emphasize something that they are saying, often when they want to express disapproval or humour. It hasn't stopped the British Navy proceeding on its merry way see also merrily
quick and energetic; "a brisk walk in the park"; "a lively gait"; "a merry chase"; "traveling at a rattling rate"; "a snappy pace"; "a spanking breeze"
Laughingly gay; overflowing with good humor and good spirits; jovial; inclined to laughter or play ; sportive
If you get merry, you get slightly drunk. They went off to Glengarriff to get merry. = tipsy
full of or showing high-spirited merriment; "when hearts were young and gay"; "a poet could not but be gay, in such a jocund company"- Wordsworth; "the jolly crowd at the reunion"; "jolly old Saint Nick"; "a jovial old gentleman"; "have a merry Christmas"; "peals of merry laughter"; "a mirthful laugh"
formulae Just before Christmas and on Christmas Day, people say `Merry Christmas' to other people to express the hope that they will have a happy time. Merry Christmas, everyone I just wanted to wish you a merry Christmas
offering fun and gaiety; "a gala ball after the inauguration"; "a festive (or festal) occasion"; "gay and exciting night life"; "a merry evening"
If you describe someone's character or behaviour as merry, you mean that they are happy and cheerful. From the house come the bursts of merry laughter = jolly + merrily mer·ri·ly Chris threw back his head and laughed merrily