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Sprightly vs Merry - What's the difference?

sprightly | merry |

As an adjective sprightly

is animated, vivacious or gay; lively.

As an adverb sprightly

is in a lively and vigorous way.

As a proper noun merry is

originally a nickname for a merry person.

sprightly

English

Adjective

(er)
  • animated, vivacious or gay; lively
  • full of life and vigor, especially with a light and springy step
  • (especially of old people) energetic and in good health

    • Antonyms

    * melancholy

    Adverb

    (er)
  • In a lively and vigorous way

    • Derived terms

    * sprightliness

    See also

    * lively * vigor * gay * vivacious

    Anagrams

    *

    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