Mirth
n.joyful, energeticliterary
What it means
Laughter and lively amusement shared or openly expressed.
Reach for it when naming buoyant humor in a literary or slightly old-fashioned tone
The storyteller's final imitation filled the room with mirth.
Choose between these
9- playful
when delight is exuberant and possibly mischievous
not when Glee can sound unkind if it follows another person's failure.
- everyday
when laughter becomes intense and widespread
not when Hilarity suggests more intensity and sometimes a loss of composure.
- everyday
when the audible response is the exact focus
not when Laughter can be nervous, mocking, or unrelated to happiness.
- warm
when general positive spirit matters more than comedy
not when Cheer can be encouragement or optimism without amusement.
- warm
good humor
when a cheerful, tolerant disposition matters
not when Good humor can remain quiet and need not produce laughter.
- warm
when sociable celebration includes laughter and activity
not when Merriment is broader and may include music or festivity.
- professional
when something entertains or seems funny
not when Amusement can be quiet and detached rather than openly joyful.
- formal
when lightness temporarily relieves seriousness
not when Levity can be inappropriate and does not guarantee genuine joy.
- literary
for hearty sociable good humor
not when Jollity sounds dated and may suggest forced festivity.
Said against
3- gloom
- sorrow
- melancholy
It naturally appears in
3- cause mirth
The puppy's determined bow continued to cause mirth.
- full of mirth
The reunion was full of mirth without becoming noisy.
- shout of mirth
A shout of mirth rose when the old joke reached its ending.