Merriment

n.joyful, energeticwarm

What it means

Lively enjoyment expressed through laughter, talk, music, or playful activity.

Reach for it when naming shared, sociable cheer without implying lasting happiness

Music and merriment filled the square after the lantern parade.

everyday
fun
when simple enjoyment is all the sentence needs
not when Fun is broad and lacks merriment's audible, communal liveliness.
everyday
high spirits
when a group's buoyant energy is the main quality
not when High spirits can become disruptive and do not necessarily include shared amusement.
everyday
laughter
when the audible expression of amusement is the focus
not when Laughter can be nervous, cruel, or solitary.
warm
cheer
when positive spirit or encouragement matters
not when Cheer can be quiet and supportive rather than playful.
warm
good cheer
when friendly optimism and sociability matter
not when The phrase is traditional and may sound seasonal or dated.
formal
festivity
when celebration and organized occasion are central
not when Festivity can describe decorations or events even when people feel little merriment.
literary
jollity
for conspicuous sociable good humor
not when Jollity sounds old-fashioned and can suggest forced festivity.
literary
mirth
when laughter and amusement are central
not when Mirth is more literary and may not include music or sociable activity.
literary
revelry
when noisy, energetic celebration continues freely
not when Revelry can imply excess, drinking, or disorder.

general merriment
A missed cue caused general merriment rather than embarrassment.
music and merriment
Music and merriment continued until the final train.
cause merriment
The dog's determined dance never failed to cause merriment.

The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.