Word: mirth (noun)

Associations

"Mirth" means a feeling of great happiness and laughter. It is often used to describe joyful moments, fun, or amusement.

• At a party, you might see people full of mirth, laughing and enjoying themselves.
• A comedian’s jokes can bring mirth to the audience.
• Family gatherings often have mirth because everyone is happy and joking. Mirth is similar to "joy" or "happiness," but it usually involves laughter and fun, not just calm or quiet happiness.

Substitution

You can replace "mirth" with words like:

• joy (more general happiness)
• laughter (focuses more on the sound of laughing)
• cheerfulness (happy and positive mood) Changing the word changes the feeling a bit. For example, "joy" is more serious, while "mirth" is lighter and funnier.

Deconstruction

The word "mirth" comes from Old English "myrgð," meaning pleasure or joy. It does not have a prefix or suffix; it is a simple noun that has kept its meaning about happiness and fun for a long time.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a time when you felt mirth with your friends or family?
• How is mirth different from just feeling happy quietly?
• What kinds of activities usually bring mirth to people?