mirth
/mɜːrθ/
noun
Origin
Old English
myrgð — joy, gladness
Overview
Meaning Now
- A state of gladness or cheerful amusement.
- Light-hearted laughter or joyful merriment.
Literal older meaning
joy, gladness
Language path
Old English → Middle English → English
Earliest form
myrgð
Earliest period
Old English period
Journey
In earlier English, mirth could refer broadly to joy or gladness, including festive rejoicing. Over time it came to suggest more visible cheerfulness, laughter, or good-humored amusement, often in contrast with solemnity or sadness.
Evolution
- Old English
myrgð
“joy, gladness”
An early noun meaning cheerfulness or joy; related to a Germanic root of pleasure or delight.
- Middle English
mirthe / mirth
“gladness, joy, rejoicing”
Spelling became more regular, and the word was used for cheerful feeling or festive joy.
- Modern English
mirth
“cheerful amusement, joyful laughter”
The sense narrowed somewhat toward outward cheerfulness and merriment.
Connections
Word parts
mirth
root
joy, cheerfulness
Related across languages
German
Morgen
morning
Related words
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Related to mirth
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.