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Jocular vs Merry - What's the difference?

jocular | merry | Related terms |

As adjectives the difference between jocular and merry

is that jocular is humorous, amusing or joking while merry is jolly and full of high spirits.

As a proper noun Merry is

{{surname|from=nicknames}} Originally a nickname for a merry person.

jocular

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • (formal) Humorous]], amusing or [[joke, joking.
  • He was in a jocular mood all day.
    All we had was a short and jocular conversation.
  • * 1865 , , chapter IV:
  • From the tone of the speaker, the last words might be understood to be jocular .
  • * 1896 , , chapter 15:
  • Sometimes he would notice it, pat it, call it half-mocking, half-jocular names, and so make it caper with extraordinary delight.
  • * 1910 , :
  • Then papa began to get very tired of Jones, and fidgeted and finally said, with jocular irony, that Jones had better stay all night, they could give him a shake-down.

    Synonyms

    * (humorous) dismissive, jokey, unemotional, silly; see also

    Antonyms

    * (humorous) heartfelt, serious, sincere

    Derived terms

    * jocularly * jocularity * jocularness

    merry

    English

    Alternative forms

    * (l) (obsolete)

    Adjective

    (er)
  • Jolly and full of high spirits
  • We had a very merry Christmas.
  • * Shakespeare
  • I am never merry when I hear sweet music.
  • Festive and full of fun and laughter
  • * 1883 , (Howard Pyle), (The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood)
  • f I have the chance, I will make our worshipful Sheriff pay right well for that which he hath done to me. Maybe I may bring him some time into Sherwood Forest and have him to a right merry feast with us.
    Everyone was merry at the party.
  • Brisk
  • The play moved along at a merry pace.
  • Causing laughter, mirth, gladness, or delight.
  • a merry jest
  • * Spenser
  • merry wind and weather
  • (euphemistic) drunk; tipsy
  • Some of us got a little merry at the office Christmas party.

    Alternative forms

    * (obsolete) mery

    Derived terms

    * Merry Christmas * Merry Eid

    Synonyms

    * happy * gay * content * joyful * cheerful * pleased * exultant * ecstatic * jovial

    Antonyms

    * miserable * unhappy

    Derived terms

    * merrier * merrily * merriment