the more the merrier

English

Etymology

First recorded in the 14th-century poem Pearl, line 850. The phrase contains an instance of the comparative correlative use of the.

Pronunciation

  • Audio (Southern England):(file)

Proverb

the more the merrier

  1. Something is more fun with more people.
  2. A greater amount of something is better.
  3. Used to welcome another person into a group activity or encourage them to join in, suggesting that they will be easily accommodated.

Translations

References