Mirth: Definition & Meaning for the SAT
⚡️ MIRTH most nearly means: (A) joyful laughter; (B) deep sadness; (C) quiet reflection; (D) bitter resentment. 👉 Answer + examples, pronunciation, and explanation inside.
📣 TL;DR: Mirth means gladness and gaiety, especially when expressed through laughter. Not gonna lie, it's an old-sounding word, so you probably won't hear it in conversation. Mnemonic to help remember: MIRTH rhymes with EARTH, and we're very happy to live on this wonderful planet!
ℹ️ Part of Speech of Mirth
mirth is a NOUN.
🗣️ Pronunciation of Mirth
mirth is pronounced /mɜrθ/ or MURTH.
📚️ Definition of Mirth
Gladness and gaiety, especially when expressed through laughter; a feeling of cheerfulness that often leads to laughing or smiling. Example: the mirth of children at the playground.
📰 Examples of Mirth
Here are some examples of the word mirth:
The reunion brought tears of mirth to everyone's eyes as the old friends reunited and shared decades-old memories.
Is there anything more delightful than sounds of mirthful children playing?
It was a night of mirth, singing, and burnt marshmallows. (Yes, over a campfire.)
✅ Quiz answer
Answer to the question above:
A, joyful laughter. Explanations: B doesn't work; that would be sorrow or melancholy. C could be contemplation or meditation. D doesn't work; bitter resentment would be rancor or animosity.

