merry men
Britishplural noun
Etymology
Origin of merry men
C19: originally, the companions of a knight, outlaw, etc
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.
We'll get to the Robin Hood comparisons in a moment, but first mention must go to O'Neill's merry men.
From BBC • Nov. 2, 2025
The original version famously portrayed the noble thief of Sherwood Forest as a fox, while his gang of merry men were illustrated as other animals.
From The Verge • Apr. 10, 2020
At one point he makes the merry men swear “to despoil the rich only to give to the poor, to shelter the old and the helpless and to protect all women, rich or poor”.
From The Guardian • Nov. 22, 2018
Of course, to classify Levine’s band of merry men alongside the above list of legendary rock combos is a crock, or a poke at the concept of rockism.
From Slate • Sep. 28, 2018
Robin Hood and his merry men discomfited the Sheriff of Nottingham.
From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
