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Synonyms

merrymaking

American  
[mer-ee-may-king] / ˈmɛr iˌmeɪ kɪŋ /

noun

  1. the act of taking part gaily or enthusiastically in some festive or merry celebration.

  2. a merry festivity; revel.


adjective

  1. producing mirth; happy; festive.

merrymaking British  
/ ˈmɛrɪˌmeɪkɪŋ /

noun

  1. fun, revelry, or festivity

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms


Etymology

Origin of merrymaking

First recorded in 1705–15; merry + making


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

The merrymaking, though, ends in desolation, as the guests, including Betty herself, drop in exhaustion.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 27, 2026

But this is a gift guide for you, our readers, and is written with revelry — meaning merrymaking, noisy partying, dancing until the lights come up — in mind.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 4, 2025

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on Thursday that Mr. Biden was returning to Washington to attend White House meetings and participate in holiday merrymaking before flying back at 8:55 p.m.

From Washington Times ● Dec. 16, 2022

She added that people were so exhausted and there was no "merrymaking".

From BBC ● Apr. 13, 2022

‘Of course. This is merrymaking not business. Come and go as you like, as long as you don’t make a noise.’

From "The Fellowship of the Ring" by J.R.R. Tolkien

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