Dictionary

unmerry en · ADJ

Etymology

From Old English unmyriġe (“unpleasant”), from un- + myriġe (“pleasant”). By surface analysis, un- + merry.

Meanings

1. Not merry, the opposite of merry; sad, gloomy.
   • In an impassive 17th-century mansion in the Faubourg Saint-Germain Newman finds his prize possession an unmerry widow named Claire de Cintre. 1989 March 24, Lawrence Bommer, “The American”, in Chicago Reader:
   • But the Maiden, though she might hope the more to see her friend come back whole and sound, was unmerry at the tidings, she could scarce tell for why; neither did the Carline blame her therefore. 1914, William Morris, The Sundering Flood:
   • "Yea, much," she said; "it seems joyous to me: and I shall tell thee that I have mostly dwelt in unmerry houses, though they were of greater cost than this." 1895, William Morris, Child Christopher:

Forms

Synonyms

comfortless · dismal · dolesome · unhappy · bleak · sullen · grim · dark · doleful · gloomy · somber · disconsolate · joyless · depressing · lugubrious · uncheery · mirthless · melancholy · miserable · dreich · sunless · drear · gray · drearisome · gloomsome · bleak · dire · no joke · morose · cheerless · uncheery · unmerry · desolate · forlorn · woeful · saturnine · spiritless · wintry · solemn · sombre · lack-laughter · gayless · uncheerful · dreary