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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

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

Kit and Judith, each lost in her own thoughts, stood together near the wall, unable to join in the merrymaking.

From "The Witch of Blackbird Pond" by Elizabeth George Speare

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