jolly

adjective

jol·​ly ˈjä-lē 

jollier; jolliest

1

a(1)

: full of high spirits : joyous

Think no more, lad; laugh, be jolly …

—A. E. Housman

(2)

: given to conviviality : jovial

a jolly companion

b

: expressing, suggesting, or inspiring lively happiness and good cheer : cheerful

jolly laughter

2

: extremely pleasant or agreeable : splendid

had a jolly time

Synonyms of jolly

• merry
• festive

Choose the Right Synonym for jolly

merry, blithe, jocund, jovial, jolly mean showing high spirits or lightheartedness.

merry suggests cheerful, joyous, uninhibited enjoyment of frolic or festivity.

a merry group of revelers

blithe suggests carefree, innocent, or even heedless gaiety.

arrived late in his usual blithe way

jocund stresses elation and exhilaration of spirits.

singing, dancing, and jocund feasting

jovial suggests the stimulation of conviviality and good fellowship.

dinner put them in a jovial mood

jolly suggests high spirits expressed in laughing, bantering, and jesting.

our jolly host enlivened the party

Examples of jolly in a Sentence

Our boss was a very jolly man, always laughing.

She had a jolly time at the party.

Recent Examples on the Web

Fishing boats sat docked along the pier, bouncing on top of the water like a row of jolly babies. —Literary Hub, 14 May 2026

The neighborhood Neighboring St Moritz was adopted in the 19th century by all those jolly-hockey-stick Brits, who introduced skiing and tobogganing, but little Sils Maria has always been more cerebral. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026

Of course, even for me there were still some jolly moments. —Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026

Vivacious Mars dances with jolly Jupiter, energizing your 6th House of Practice and your 10th House of Ambition. —Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English joli, from Anglo-French jolif, from jol-, probably from Old Norse jōl midwinter festival — more at yule

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Phrases Containing jolly

• jolly boat
• jolly well

Rhymes for jolly

• colley
• collie
• dolly
• folly
• golly
• holly
• jolley
• lolly
• mollie
• molly
• ollie
• polly

Kids Definition

jolly

1 of 2 adjective

jol·​ly ˈjäl-ē 

jollier; jolliest

1

a

: merry sense 1, cheerful

b

: jovial

2

: very pleasant or agreeable : splendid

jolly

2 of 2 adverb

: very entry 2 sense 1

a jolly good time