How to pronounce merry
Say it like MER-ee. Merry has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MER).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce merry. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- MER
- ee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Merry pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- MERSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of merry
American and British speakers say merry in essentially the same way: /ˈmɛri/ in the US and /ˈmɛri/ in the UK.
British respelling: MER-ee.
What does merry mean?
- full of or showing high-spirited merriment“when hearts were young and gay”“a poet could not but be gay, in such a jocund company”
- offering fun and gaiety“a festive (or festal) occasion”“gay and exciting night life”
- quick and energetic“a brisk walk in the park”“a lively gait”
Where does merry come from?
From Middle English myrie, merie, mery, from Old English myrġe, myriġe (“pleasing, agreeable; pleasant, sweet, delightful; melodious”), from Proto-West Germanic *murgī (“short, slow, leisurely”), from Proto-Germanic *murguz (“short, slow”),
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with merry
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of merry.
Words that sound like merry
Questions about saying merry
How do you pronounce merry?
Say MER-ee. The American pronunciation is /ˈmɛri/. In British English it is /ˈmɛri/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in merry?
Merry has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MER). Broken into parts: MER · ee.
Do Americans and Brits say merry the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈmɛri/ and the British form is /ˈmɛri/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.
What words sound the same as merry?
Merry sounds the same as marry in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.