Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Showing results for merrymaking. Search instead for merit making.
Synonyms

merrymaking

American  
[mer-ee-mey-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.

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

And, oddly enough — and so beautiful — they’re in some of these really dense archives at the Getty, just merrymaking, hanging out with their homegirls and Duke Ellington.

From New York Times • Jun. 8, 2022

It was the season for merrymaking, when the New Year approaches and old debts are paid.

From "In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson" by Bette Bao Lord

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "merrymaking" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com