Merrily means doing something in a cheerful, lighthearted way, with happiness and energy. When you skip merrily down the sidewalk, you're bouncing along with a spring in your step and maybe humming a tune. When carolers sing merrily during the holidays, their voices are bright and joyful, not dull or half-hearted.

The word comes from “merry,” which means happy and full of fun. You might recognize it from the old song “Row, Row, Row Your Boat,” where life is described as floating merrily down the stream. That image captures what the word means: moving through something with lightness and joy rather than worry or heaviness.

You can do almost anything merrily. A dog might greet you merrily at the door, tail wagging like crazy. Friends might chat merrily at lunch, laughing and enjoying each other's company. When someone goes about their work merrily, they're doing it with good spirits, not dragging their feet or complaining. The word suggests you're not just happy on the inside but showing that happiness outwardly through how you act and speak.