mirth

[ murth ]

noun

1. gaiety or jollity, especially when accompanied by laughter:

   the excitement and mirth of the holiday season.

   Antonyms: gloom

2. amusement or laughter:

   He was unable to conceal his mirth.

mirth

/ mɜːθ /

noun

1. laughter, gaiety, or merriment

Derived Forms

• ˈmirthlessness, noun
• ˈmirthfulness, noun
• ˈmirthful, adjective
• ˈmirthfully, adverb
• ˈmirthless, adjective
• ˈmirthlessly, adverb

Other Words From

• mirthless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of mirth¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English mirthe, Old English myrgth. See merry, -th ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of mirth¹

Old English myrgth; compare merry

Synonym Study

Mirth, glee, hilarity, merriment, jollity, joviality refer to the gaiety characterizing people who are enjoying the companionship of others. Mirth suggests spontaneous amusement or gaiety, manifested briefly in laughter: uncontrolled outbursts of mirth. Glee suggests an effervescence of high spirits or exultation, often manifested in playful or ecstatic gestures; it may apply also to a malicious rejoicing over mishaps to others: glee over the failure of a rival. Hilarity implies noisy and boisterous mirth, often exceeding the limits of reason or propriety: hilarity aroused by practical jokes. Merriment suggests fun, good spirits, and good nature rather than the kind of wit and sometimes artificial funmaking that cause hilarity: The house resounded with music and sounds of merriment. Jollity and joviality may refer either to a general atmosphere of mirthful festivity or to the corresponding traits of individuals. Jollity implies an atmosphere of easy and convivial gaiety, a more hearty merriment or a less boisterous hilarity: The holiday was a time of jollity. Joviality implies a more mellow merriment generated by people who are hearty, generous, benevolent, and high-spirited: the joviality of warm-hearted friends.

Example Sentences

His voice is quiet, melodic, and often tinged with an undercurrent of mirth.

From The Daily Beast

The mirth is misleading, as are the soft features of the baby-faced Surkov.

From The Daily Beast

That's better than Germany, France and even Brazil, where mirth is nearly a religion.

From The Daily Beast

The unlikely saga of the spies known as The Illegals has caused much mirth, but no diplomatic crisis, with Russia.

From The Daily Beast

The mirth came from imagining how he would twist the Tet Offensive, which was under way, into “progress.”

From The Daily Beast

Then—(with difficulty restraining another outburst of mirth)—how about "27 for oysters and Chablis" after the visit?

From Project Gutenberg

The mirth of timbrels hath ceased, the noise of them that rejoice is ended, the melody of the harp is silent.

From Project Gutenberg

There shall be a crying for wine in the streets: all mirth is forsaken: the joy of the earth is gone away.

From Project Gutenberg

Mrs. Chester promptly obeyed, surprised by the mingled mirth and vexation expressed by her husband's face.

From Project Gutenberg

The blood hummed through Garnache's head as he tightened his lips and watched this gentleman indulge his inexplicable mirth.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• hilarity
• laughter
• levity
• rejoicing