Mirth
/mɜrθ/
nounB2
Definition
Mirth is the strong feeling of joy and amusement that often makes people laugh or smile. It usually happens when people are having fun together or hearing something funny.
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See It in Action
Joyful laughter or amusement
- •The room was full of mirth after the comedian’s performance.
- •Her voice was full of mirth as she told the funny story.
- •The holiday party was filled with mirth and good cheer.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "mirth" like "happy," but much stronger and shown by laughter or smiles
- ✓Picture a group of friends laughing loudly at a funny joke or story
- ✓It's the warm, joyful feeling you get when you laugh with others at a party or celebration
- ✓Sounds like "mirth" → imagine a "merry earth," a world full of laughter and smiles
- ✓Think of scenes in movies where characters share jokes and everyone laughs happily together
- ✓NOT like "smile" (quiet and small), mirth is loud, full of joy and sound
- ✓NOT like "fun" (an activity), mirth is the feeling inside when you enjoy that fun
- ✓NOT like "happiness" (general feeling), mirth is the specific happy feeling that causes laughter
Try Other Words
- •Laughter: the sound of laughing (Use when focusing on the noise people make when happy)
- •Glee: happy excitement (Use when the happiness is playful and lively)
- •Cheerfulness: general happy mood (Use when describing a positive feeling but less about loud laughter)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: (no clear prefix or suffix, a simple root word)
- •Etymology: From Old English "myrth" meaning joy or pleasure
- •Historical development: Used since early English times to mean happiness and laughter
- •Modern usage: Mostly literary or formal, describing happy laughter or joyful mood
Reflect & Connect
•When have you felt mirth with friends or family? What made that moment special?
•Can mirth happen alone, or does it need other people to share the laughter?
Fill in the blanks
1.The room was filled with mirth because everyone ___ at the funny story together.
2.Mirth often comes from jokes or ___ moments that make people laugh.
3.Unlike quiet happiness, mirth usually shows itself with ___ or loud smiles.
4.After hearing the good news, her voice was full of mirth and ___ joy.
5.Mirth is different from fun because it describes the ___ feeling, not the activity.
6.People often share mirth during celebrations when they feel ___ and joyful.
7.The comedian’s performance caused so much mirth that the audience couldn’t ___ laughing.