merrily

/ˈmerəli/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈmerəli/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈmerəlē -li/ (ame, mw)

merrily — adverb

1. in a cheerful, lively way that shows open enjoyment, especially while singing, l

1.副詞B2
釋義

in a cheerful, lively way that shows open enjoyment, especially while singing, laughing, talking, or moving about.

例句

Christopher whistled merrily as he painted the fence in the warm sun.

verb + merrily showing cheerful activity

Nellie and Kofi laughed merrily around the table after Granddad told his story.

laughed merrily — common collocation with shared amusement

同義詞
  • cheerfully

    the closest everyday synonym; slightly less festive in tone

  • happily

    broader and more neutral; does not always suggest lively outward expression

  • gaily

    more literary or old-fashioned; often sounds brighter or more decorative

反義詞
  • sadly

    describes action done with sorrow instead of joy

  • gloomily

    suggests a dark or depressed mood

文法句型

verb + merrily

merrily + verb of sound or movement

用法筆記

Usually describes actions or sounds that make happiness easy to see or hear. Common with verbs such as laugh, sing, whistle, chatter, dance, and ring.

常見錯誤

❌I felt merrily all morning.
✅I felt happy all morning.
💡'merrily' usually describes how someone does something, not a feeling by itself.

2. showing cheerful unconcern while you keep doing something, even though it may ca

2.副詞B2
釋義

showing cheerful unconcern while you keep doing something, even though it may cause trouble or deserves more care.

例句

The club merrily spent all its cash on snacks and forgot the bus fare.

merrily + spend showing careless lack of concern

Ritu merrily kept posting photos online after her brother asked for privacy.

merrily + keep -ing despite a warning

同義詞
  • heedlessly

    focuses more directly on not paying attention to danger

  • blithely

    more formal; often used when someone ignores an obvious problem

  • carelessly

    broader and less ironic; may describe simple lack of care

反義詞
  • carefully

    shows thought and attention to possible problems

  • cautiously

    suggests deliberate effort to avoid risk

文法句型

merrily + verb

merrily + keep / go on + -ing

用法筆記

Often carries irony or criticism from the speaker. It is common when someone ignores a warning, carries on as if nothing is wrong, or causes problems without seeming to notice.

常見錯誤

❌The nurse merrily measured each dose twice.
✅The nurse carefully measured each dose twice.
💡sense 2 suggests careless unconcern, not responsible attention.