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

The reason for his mirth becomes apparent when we round a bend and see three peacocks swaggering around next to an old stone farmhouse.

From BBC

“Amos was often described by people who knew him as the smartest person they knew. He was also very funny … and the result was that we could spend hours of solid work in continuous mirth.”

From Seattle Times

Sir Lenny told viewers: "It is not about me - it is about the mirth and the money, the comedy and compassion."

From BBC

He said: "It is not about me - it is about the mirth and the money, the comedy and compassion."

From BBC

Henry told viewers: "It is not about me - it is about the mirth and the money, the comedy and compassion."

From BBC

Related Words

• hilarity
• laughter
• levity
• rejoicing