Mirthless
/ˈmɜːrθ.ləs/noun
Lacking joy, cheer, or amusement.
Did you know?“Mirth” comes from the same old root as “merry,” so “mirthless” is literally the absence of a word-family that once meant festive, bright, and blessed with joy.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
myrgð
“joy, pleasure, delight”
Middle English
ME
mirthe
“mirth, joy, amusement”
14th Century
English
mirthles
“without mirth; joyless”
Modern English
English
mirthless
“lacking cheer or amusement”