mirth
Say it: MURTH /məːθ/ · noun
What “mirth” means
Happiness and amusement that make you laugh.
More precisely: Amusement, especially when expressed in laughter.
Example: “His attempt to parallel park drew great mirth from the café terrace.”
When to use it
Use it for cheerful amusement, especially shared laughter. It sounds literary or slightly old-fashioned.
Memory trick
Mirth and merry are related: picture a merry group laughing together.
Similar words
amusement, merriment, hilarity
Where it comes from
From Old English myrgth, related to merry.
Quick check
At a picnic, someone's ridiculous dance has everyone laughing happily together. What fills the gathering?
mirth or scorn?
Show the answer
mirth
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