MERRY-GO-ROUND

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does merry-go-round mean? 

• MERRY-GO-ROUND (noun)
  The noun MERRY-GO-ROUND has 2 senses:

1. a never-ending cycle of activities and events (especially when they seem to have little purpose)

2. a large, rotating machine with seats for children to ride or amusement

  Familiarity information: MERRY-GO-ROUND used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• MERRY-GO-ROUND (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A never-ending cycle of activities and events (especially when they seem to have little purpose)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural events

Context example:

if we lose the election the whole legislative merry-go-round will have to start over

Hypernyms ("merry-go-round" is a kind of...):

cycle (a periodically repeated sequence of events)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A large, rotating machine with seats for children to ride or amusement

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

carousel; carrousel; merry-go-round; roundabout; whirligig

Hypernyms ("merry-go-round" is a kind of...):

ride (a mechanical device that you ride for amusement or excitement)

 Context examples 

Very often on the merry-go-round of life, relationships suffer from a simple lack of fun.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

He pulled a lever and made his mind revolve about him, a monstrous wheel of fortune, a merry-go-round of memory, a revolving sphere of wisdom.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

You can now get off the merry-go-round of life and spend quality time together.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)