Marry vs. Merry — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 26, 2024
"Marry" refers to entering into a matrimonial bond, while "Merry" describes a feeling or atmosphere of great joy and festivity.
Difference Between Marry and Merry
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Marry" is a verb that involves becoming legally or formally joined as partners in a relationship, typically recognized as a wedding. On the other hand, "Merry" is an adjective used to describe an environment or mood that is cheerful and full of joy.
In cultural contexts, to "marry" someone can signify a lifetime commitment and is often accompanied by ceremonies and legal agreements. Whereas being "merry" is generally associated with social occasions like parties and holidays, especially Christmas, where the phrase "Merry Christmas" is common.
"Marry" can carry significant legal and social implications, affecting one's legal status, financial arrangements, and personal relationships. On the other hand, "merry" simply pertains to the emotional state and is transient, lasting only as long as the festive or joyful occasion continues.
The term "marry" is used specifically in the context of marriage, which can be performed in various traditions around the world. In contrast, "merry" is used more broadly to describe any joyful or festive event, without any cultural or legal specificity.
While "marry" requires a formal action or ceremony and usually involves only two primary individuals, being "merry" can happen spontaneously and can include any number of people participating in joyous activities.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Verb
Adjective
Definition
To enter into a marital union
Being joyful and cheerful
Context of Use
Weddings, legal documents
Social events, holidays
Emotional Connotation
Commitment, union
Joy, festivity
Cultural Significance
Significant in almost all cultures with formal ceremonies
Commonly associated with celebrations like Christmas
Compare with Definitions
Marry
To unite in a close, usually permanent way.
They married tradition with modern technology.
Merry
Joyful and pleasant.
They sang merry songs during the holiday.
Marry
To enter into legal or religious matrimony.
They plan to marry next spring.
Merry
Associated with or typical of holiday festivities.
They wished everyone a merry Christmas.
Marry
To grant in marriage; of a parent or guardian.
He married his daughter to a noble family.
Merry
Describing an atmosphere of light-heartedness.
A merry evening was had by all.
Marry
To perform a marriage ceremony.
She was married by the local priest.
Merry
Marked by festivity or celebration.
It was a merry gathering of old friends.
Marry
To take a spouse.
She will marry her high school sweetheart.
Merry
Cheerful and lively.
The merry laughter filled the room.
Marry
To join in marriage
They have been married for 25 years.
Merry
Full of cheerfulness, liveliness, and good feelings
Merry revelers.
Marry
To take as a spouse
She married him two years ago.
Merry
Marked by or offering fun, good feelings, and liveliness; festive
A merry evening.
Marry
To give in marriage
They married their daughter to a nobleman.
Merry
Brisk
A merry pace.
Marry
To perform a marriage ceremony for
The rabbi married the couple.
Merry
(Archaic) Delightful or pleasing.
Marry
To obtain by marriage
Marry money.
Merry
Jolly and full of high spirits; happy.
We had a very merry Christmas.
Marry
(Nautical) To join (two ropes) end to end, as by splicing or seizing.
Merry
Festive and full of fun and laughter.
Everyone was merry at the party.
Marry
To unite in a close, usually permanent way
"His material marries the domestic and the exotic" (Clifton Fadiman).
Merry
Brisk
The play moved along at a merry pace.
The car moved at a merry clip.
Marry
To enter into marriage; wed
They married in their twenties.
Merry
Causing laughter, mirth, gladness, or delight.
A merry jest
Marry
To combine or blend agreeably
Let the flavors marry overnight.
Merry
(euphemistic) drunk; tipsy
Some of us got a little merry at the office Christmas party.
Marry
Used as an exclamation of surprise or emphasis.
Merry
An English wild cherry.
Marry
(intransitive) To enter into the conjugal or connubial state; to take a husband or a wife.
Neither of her daughters showed any desire to marry.
Merry
Laughingly gay; overflowing with good humor and good spirits; jovial; inclined to laughter or play; sportive.
They drank, and were merry with him.
I am never merry when I hear sweet music.
Marry
(intransitive) To enter into marriage with one another.
Jack and Jenny married soon after they met.
Merry
Cheerful; joyous; not sad; happy.
Is any merry? let him sing psalms.
Marry
(transitive) To take as husband or wife.
In some cultures, it is acceptable for an uncle to marry his niece.
Merry
Causing laughter, mirth, gladness, or delight; as, a merry jest.
His merie men commanded heTo make him bothe game and glee.
Marry
(transitive) To arrange for the marriage of; to give away as wife or husband.
He was eager to marry his daughter to a nobleman.
Merry
A kind of wild red cherry.
Marry
(transitive) To unite in wedlock or matrimony; to perform the ceremony of joining spouses; to bring about a marital union according to the laws or customs of a place.
A justice of the peace will marry Jones and Smith.
His daughter was married some five years ago to a tailor's apprentice.
Merry
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
The jolly crowd at the reunion
Jolly old Saint Nick
A jovial old gentleman
Have a merry Christmas
Peals of merry laughter
A mirthful laugh
Marry
To join or connect. See also marry up.
There’s a big gap here. These two parts don’t marry properly.
I can’t connect it, because the plug doesn’t marry with the socket.
Merry
Offering fun and gaiety;
A gala ball after the inauguration
A festive (or festal) occasion
Gay and exciting night life
A merry evening
Marry
To unite; to join together into a close union.
The attempt to marry medieval plainsong with speed metal produced interesting results.
Merry
Quick and energetic;
A brisk walk in the park
A lively gait
A merry chase
Traveling at a rattling rate
A snappy pace
A spanking breeze
Marry
(nautical) To place (two ropes) alongside each other so that they may be grasped and hauled on at the same time.
Marry
(nautical) To join (two ropes) end to end so that both will pass through a block.
Marry
(obsolete) A term of asseveration: indeed!, in truth!
Marry
To unite in wedlock or matrimony; to perform the ceremony of joining, as a man and a woman, for life; to constitute (a man and a woman) husband and wife according to the laws or customs of the place.
Tell him that he shall marry the couple himself.
Marry
To join according to law, (a man) to a woman as his wife, or (a woman) to a man as her husband. See the Note to def. 4.
A woman who had been married to her twenty-fifth husband, and being now a widow, was prohibited to marry.
Marry
To dispose of in wedlock; to give away as wife.
Mæcenas took the liberty to tell him [Augustus] that he must either marry his daughter [Julia] to Agrippa, or take away his life.
Marry
To take for husband or wife. See the Note below.
They got him [the Duke of Monmouth] . . . to declare in writing, that the last king [Charles II.] told him he was never married to his mother.
Marry
Figuratively, to unite in the closest and most endearing relation.
Turn, O backsliding children, saith the Lord; for I am married unto you.
Marry
To enter into the conjugal or connubial state; to take a husband or a wife.
I will, therefore, that the younger women marry.
Marry
Indeed! in truth! - a term of asseveration said to have been derived from the practice of swearing by the Virgin Mary.
Marry
Take in marriage
Marry
Perform a marriage ceremony;
The minister married us on Saturday
We were wed the following week
The couple got spliced on Hawaii
Common Curiosities
Is "merry" suitable for formal occasions?
While "merry" is appropriate for festive occasions, it may be too casual for formal or solemn events.
What does it mean to marry someone?
To marry someone means to become legally joined as spouses through a wedding ceremony.
Can you marry something other than a person?
Figuratively, yes. One can "marry" ideas or concepts, meaning to combine them effectively.
Who can marry someone?
Ordained individuals, justices of the peace, and certain other officials are typically authorized to perform marriage ceremonies.
Can "marry" have non-literal meanings?
Yes, "marry" can also mean to combine or blend harmoniously, as in "marrying flavors in a dish."
What is the origin of "merry"?
"Merry" originates from Old English, meaning pleasant, delightful.
How does one decide to marry?
Deciding to marry often involves considerations of love, compatibility, life goals, and mutual respect.
How do the consequences of "marrying" differ from being "merry"?
Marrying has lasting legal and personal implications, whereas being merry is a temporary state of happiness.
What is a common phrase that uses "merry"?
A common phrase is "Merry Christmas," used to express good wishes during the Christmas season.
Is "merry" used in modern language?
Yes, "merry" is still widely used, especially in the context of holidays and parties.
What situations would someone use the word "merry"?
"Merry" is used to describe joyful and cheerful situations, often during celebrations or holidays.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
