Merrymaking: meaning, definitions and examples

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merrymaking

[ˈmɛriˌmeɪkɪŋ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

at a party

The act of enjoying oneself with others, usually at a social gathering or celebration. It involves laughter, music, dancing, and overall happiness.

Synonyms

celebration, festivity, revelry.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
merrymaking	Merrymaking refers to joy and fun activities, typically in a social context. It's informal and centers on having a good time with others, often involving music, dancing, and laughter. The village square was filled with merrymaking during the summer festival. After the wedding, the merrymaking continued well into the night.
celebration	Celebration is used to describe the formal or informal act of honoring an event, person, or achievement. This can include parties, ceremonies, and other joyous activities. The company held a big celebration for its 50th anniversary. They had a small celebration at home for her birthday.
festivity	Festivity refers to a broader scope of organized and enjoyable activities often associated with holidays or festivals. It involves a series of joyous events or celebrations. The Christmas festivities included carol singing and gift exchanges. Festivities began early in the morning and lasted all day.
revelry	Revelry indicates engaging in loud and lively activities, often during nighttime events or parties. It can sometimes imply excessive drinking or rowdy behavior, which carries a slightly negative connotation. The sounds of revelry could be heard throughout the neighborhood on New Year's Eve. After the soccer match, fans indulged in hours of revelry downtown.

Examples of usage

People were engaged in merrymaking at the wedding reception.
The New Year's Eve merrymaking lasted until the early hours of the morning.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

during holidays

Engaging in activities that bring joy and celebration, often during festive occasions such as Christmas or Thanksgiving.

Synonyms

festivities, joyful celebrations.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
merrymaking	Redundant entry matching the first word; no distinct additional explanation required. Redundant entry—same examples as provided for the first 'merrymaking '
festivities	Festivities refer to the events and activities organized to celebrate a special occasion or holiday. This term is often used in a broader or more formal context, encompassing various planned events, such as parades, concerts, and cultural performances. The city's festivities for New Year's Eve include fireworks, music, and dancing The national festivities attracted tourists from around the world
joyful celebrations	Joyful celebrations highlight the emotional aspect of happiness and joy in a celebratory setting. This phrase can be used in both formal and informal contexts to emphasize the positive emotions experienced during the event. The joyful celebrations of the team's victory lasted all night The village held joyful celebrations for the successful harvest season

Word

Description / Examples

merrymaking

Redundant entry matching the first word; no distinct additional explanation required.

Redundant entry—same examples as provided for the first 'merrymaking
'

festivities

Festivities refer to the events and activities organized to celebrate a special occasion or holiday. This term is often used in a broader or more formal context, encompassing various planned events, such as parades, concerts, and cultural performances.

The city's festivities for New Year's Eve include fireworks, music, and dancing
The national festivities attracted tourists from around the world

joyful celebrations

Joyful celebrations highlight the emotional aspect of happiness and joy in a celebratory setting. This phrase can be used in both formal and informal contexts to emphasize the positive emotions experienced during the event.

The joyful celebrations of the team's victory lasted all night
The village held joyful celebrations for the successful harvest season

Examples of usage

The town square was filled with merrymaking during the holiday season.
Our family always gathers for merrymaking on Thanksgiving.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

historical context

In medieval times, merrymaking referred to feasting, drinking, and general revelry as part of a festive occasion or holiday celebration.

Synonyms

carousing, mirthful revelry.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
merrymaking	Appropriate for situations involving joyful celebrations and gatherings, often used in a general or formal context. They spent the night in merrymaking, celebrating the holiday season. The festival was full of merrymaking, with music, dancing, and laughter.
carousing	Typically used to describe boisterous and often drunken partying. It has a slightly negative connotation, suggesting excessive or uncontrolled behavior. They were out carousing until the early hours of the morning. The tavern was a place for sailors to spend their nights carousing and telling old tales.
mirthful revelry	Best used when referring to lively and joyous celebrations, with a literary or slightly poetic tone. Combines the idea of laughter (mirthful) with exuberant partying (revelry). The wedding was a scene of mirthful revelry, with guests dancing and laughing all night long. The sound of mirthful revelry filled the air, as the village celebrated its annual festival.

Word

Description / Examples

merrymaking

Appropriate for situations involving joyful celebrations and gatherings, often used in a general or formal context.

They spent the night in merrymaking, celebrating the holiday season.
The festival was full of merrymaking, with music, dancing, and laughter.

carousing

Typically used to describe boisterous and often drunken partying. It has a slightly negative connotation, suggesting excessive or uncontrolled behavior.

They were out carousing until the early hours of the morning.
The tavern was a place for sailors to spend their nights carousing and telling old tales.

mirthful revelry

Best used when referring to lively and joyous celebrations, with a literary or slightly poetic tone. Combines the idea of laughter (mirthful) with exuberant partying (revelry).

The wedding was a scene of mirthful revelry, with guests dancing and laughing all night long.
The sound of mirthful revelry filled the air, as the village celebrated its annual festival.

Examples of usage

The king hosted a grand feast with merrymaking throughout the castle.
Peasants would partake in merrymaking during harvest festivals.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'merrymaking' combines 'merry,' meaning joyful or cheerful, and 'making,' implying creation or celebration.
Its roots can be traced back to the Middle English term 'merie,' which also signified happiness and enjoyment.

Cultural Traditions

Many cultures around the world have unique merrymaking rituals that celebrate harvests, new years, or festivals, reflecting their traditions.
In Ireland, merrymaking is often associated with traditional music sessions in pubs, where stories and laughter flow freely.

Literature

Merrymaking is frequently depicted in literature as a way to show community and togetherness, appearing in works from Shakespeare to contemporary novels.
In J.R.R. Tolkien's 'The Fellowship of the Ring,' the hobbits embrace merrymaking as a way of life, showcasing their culture's love for joy and celebration.

History

Historically, merrymaking was a significant aspect of medieval festivals, often including feasting, dancing, and games to mark seasonal changes or communal bonds.
The concept of merrymaking was prominent during the Renaissance, with elaborate celebrations that included masquerades, banquets, and theatrical performances.

Psychology

Participating in merrymaking activities has been shown to improve mental health, reducing stress and fostering a sense of belonging.
Psychologists suggest that social celebrations and merrymaking contribute to emotional resilience, helping individuals cope with life's challenges.

Translations

Translations of the word "merrymaking" in other languages:

🇵🇹 festa

🇮🇳 उत्सव

🇩🇪 Feiern

🇮🇩 pesta

🇺🇦 святкування

🇵🇱 zabawa

🇯🇵 祝祭

🇫🇷 festivités

🇪🇸 fiesta

🇹🇷 eğlence

🇰🇷 축제

🇸🇦 احتفال

🇨🇿 slavnost

🇸🇰 oslava

🇨🇳 庆祝

🇸🇮 praznovanje

🇮🇸 hátíðahöld

🇰🇿 тойлау

🇬🇪 დღესასწაული

🇦🇿 bayram

🇲🇽 fiesta