How do you use "Merry" in a sentence?

We were all quite merry by the end of the evening. She gets merry on just a couple of sherries. A merry Christmas indeed—uncle was very merry!

Merry

Q: What does "Merry" mean?

Happily drunk; cheerfully intoxicated. To be 'merry' is to be drunk enough to be very cheerful and sociable—more than tipsy but not incapacitated. It suggests a happy, convivial drunkenness. It's a polite, almost euphemistic way to describe being moderately drunk, often used by older generations.

Slang Term British ★★★★☆ Common Casual

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Meaning: Happily drunk; cheerfully intoxicated.

快乐地醉了；开心地微醉。

Alegremente borracho; achispado y contento.

陽気に酔っている。楽しく酔った状態。

즐겁게 취한. 기분 좋게 알딸딸한 상태.

To be 'merry' is to be drunk enough to be very cheerful and sociable—more than tipsy but not incapacitated. It suggests a happy, convivial drunkenness. It's a polite, almost euphemistic way to describe being moderately drunk, often used by older generations.

'Merry'指醉到非常开心、善于交际的程度——比微醺多但还没有失控。暗示一种快乐、欢乐的醉态。这是一种礼貌的、近乎委婉的说法来形容中度醉酒，常被年长一辈使用。

Estar 'merry' es estar lo bastante borracho como para estar muy alegre y sociable, más que achispado pero sin estar incapacitado. Sugiere una borrachera feliz y cordial. Es una forma educada, casi eufemística, de describir estar moderadamente borracho, usada a menudo por las generaciones mayores.

「Merry」は、とても陽気で社交的になるくらい酔った状態を表します。ほろ酔い以上ですが、動けなくなるほどではありません。楽しく和やかな酔い方を示唆します。適度な酔いを表す上品でやや婉曲的な表現で、年配の世代がよく使います。

'Merry'는 매우 유쾌하고 사교적이 될 정도로 취한 상태로, 살짝 취한 것(tipsy)보다는 심하지만 행동 불능 상태는 아니다. 행복하고 화기애애한 취기를 의미한다. 중간 정도의 취함을 예의 바르게, 거의 완곡하게 표현하는 말로, 주로 윗세대가 사용한다.

Examples

We were all quite merry by the end of the evening.
到晚上结束时我们都挺开心地醉了
Estábamos todos bastante alegres al final de la velada
夜の終わりにはみんなすっかり陽気になっていた
저녁 끝 무렵에는 다들 꽤 얼큰해져 있었다.
She gets merry on just a couple of sherries.
她喝两杯雪利酒就开心地醉了
Ella se pone alegre con solo un par de jereces
彼女はシェリー2杯で陽気になる
그녀는 셰리 두 잔이면 얼큰해져.
A merry Christmas indeed—uncle was very merry!
确实是个快乐的圣诞——叔叔喝得很开心！
Desde luego unas felices Navidades: ¡el tío estaba muy contento!
本当にメリークリスマスだ、おじさんはすっかり上機嫌だった！
정말 메리 크리스마스다—삼촌이 완전 얼큰했어!

Pronunciation

/ˈmeri/

Usage Guide

Context: social drinking, celebrations, polite company

Tone: affectionate, understated

✓ Do Say

Quite merry
相当开心地醉了
Bastante alegre
すっかり陽気に
꽤 얼큰한
Getting merry
开始开心地醉了
Poniéndose alegre
陽気になってきた
얼큰해지는
A merry evening
一个欢乐的夜晚
Una velada alegre
陽気な夜
즐거운 저녁

Common Mistakes

Sounds old-fashioned but still used, especially by older speakers
British euphemism for drunk—politer than 'pissed'

Origin & History

The connection between merriment and alcohol goes back centuries. Saying someone is 'merry' acknowledges their drunkenness while emphasizing the positive aspects—joy, good humor, celebration. It's genteel British understatement.

Etymology: From Middle English 'mirie,' pleasant or joyful

First recorded: Medieval usage for alcohol effects

Cultural Context

Era: Medieval to present

Generation: Older generations particularly

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: British Christmas celebrations

Regional notes: Particularly British usage.

Variations

MerryQuite merryGetting merry