Merriment is joyful fun and laughter, the kind that fills a room when people are genuinely happy together. Picture a birthday party where everyone's laughing at silly jokes, or a family dinner where someone tells a funny story and the whole table erupts in giggles. That bubbling, contagious happiness is merriment.

The word suggests more than quiet contentment or a polite smile. Merriment is active and energetic: it's the sound of kids cracking up during a game of charades, or friends teasing each other good-naturedly at recess. When a book describes sounds of merriment coming from a room, you can almost hear the laughter and cheerful voices.

You'll often see merriment during celebrations and holidays, when people gather specifically to enjoy each other's company. A classroom might be full of merriment during a fun science experiment, or a playground might ring with merriment during an exciting kickball game. It's happiness that overflows and spreads to everyone around.