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.

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adjective

1. producing mirth; happy; festive.

merrymaking British  

/ ˈmɛrɪˌmeɪkɪŋ /

noun

1. fun, revelry, or festivity

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Other Word Forms

• merrymaker noun

Etymology

Origin of merrymaking

First recorded in 1705–15; merry + making

Example Sentences

In big cities, the merrymaking involving the playful splashing of water took place at designated high-security pavilions.

From Washington Times • Apr. 17, 2023

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

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2022

With varying levels of merrymaking to partake in, 3 million visitors will descend on the Venetian lagoon next year from Feb. 8 to Feb 25.

From Washington Post • Aug. 15, 2019

He shared his stunt on Twitter and then with The Financial Times, prompting merrymaking about Mr. Staley’s gullibility.

From New York Times • Aug. 26, 2017

‘Then you two shall go into a corner and finish your task, and we will hear it and judge it before we end our merrymaking.’

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