merry

-
mer|ry /m'eri/ (merrier merriest)
1 [ADJ]
If you describe someone's character or behaviour as merry, you mean that they are happy and cheerful. (OLD-FASHIONED)
From the house come the bursts of merry laughter...
= jolly
● merrily [ADV] ADV after v
Chris threw back his head and laughed merrily.
2 [ADJ] v-link ADJ
If you get merry, you get slightly drunk. (BRIT INFORMAL)
They went off to Glengarriff to get merry.
= tipsy
3 [ADJ] ADJ n
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...
4
see also merrily
5 [CONVENTION]
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...
6
to play merry hell: see hell

Popular posts from this blog

abreast

-
abreast / əbr'est / 1 [ADV] ADV after v, num ADV If people or things walk or move abreast , they are next to each other, side by side, and facing in the same direction. The steep pavement was too narrow for them to walk abreast. 2 [PREP-PHRASE] If you are abreast of someone or something, you are level with them or in line with them. As he drew abreast of the man he pretended to stumble. 3 [PREP-PHRASE] If you keep abreast of a subject, you know all the most recent facts about it. He will be keeping abreast of the news...
Read more

ablaze

-
ablaze / əbl'eɪz / 1 [ADJ] v n ADJ, v-link ADJ Something that is ablaze is burning very fiercely. Shops, houses, and vehicles were set ablaze. 2 [ADJ] v-link ADJ, usu ADJ with n If a place is ablaze with lights or colours, it is very bright because of them. The chamber was ablaze with light...
Read more

allowance

-
al|low|ance / əl'aʊəns / (allowances) 1 [N-COUNT] usu with supp, oft N of amount An allowance is money that is given to someone, usually on a regular basis, in order to help them pay for the things that they need. He lives on a single parent's allowance of £70 a week... 2 [N-COUNT] usu poss N A child's allowance is money that is given to him or her every week or every month by his or her parents. (mainly AM; in BRIT, use pocket money ) 3 [N-COUNT] usu with supp Your tax allowance is the amount of money that you are allowed to earn before you have to start paying income tax. (BRIT; in AM, use personal exemption ) ...those earning less than the basic tax allowance. 4 [N-COUNT] with supp A particular type of allowance is an amount of something that you are allowed in particular circumstances. Most of our flights have a baggage allowance of 44lbs per passenger. 5 [PHRASE] V and N inflect, oft PHR for n If you make allowances for something, y...
Read more