jolly

1 of 4

adjective

jol·​ly ˈjä-lē How to pronounce jolly (audio)
jollier; jolliest
1
a(1)
: full of high spirits : joyous
think no more, lad; laugh, be jollyA. 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

jolly

2 of 4

adverb

: very
would … do as they were jolly well toldJohn Stockbridge

jolly

3 of 4

noun

plural jollies
1
chiefly British : a good time : jollification
2
jollies plural : kicks
get their jollies by reenacting famous murdersH. F. Waters

jolly

4 of 4

verb

jollied; jollying

intransitive verb

: to engage in good-natured banter
jollied and joked with sailors in the streetDixon Wecter

transitive verb

: to put or try to put in good humor especially to gain an end
try to pay for their entertainment by jollying us alongS. E. White
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

Adjective Our boss was a very jolly man, always laughing. She had a jolly time at the party. Adverb “I've finished my assignment.” “Jolly good!” She learned to be jolly careful in his presence. Noun a provocateur who gets his jollies from stirring up political controversy Verb spent their nights around the campfire good-naturedly jollying and telling scary stories
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Bundle up and get ready to enjoy a jolly season this December, this month is packed with holiday celebrations. Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 6 Dec. 2024 He’s even currently being beaten by another one of his own jolly tracks. Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024
Adverb
Shared in 2017, that jolly release peaked at No. 16 on the chart. Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024 Following an introduction from the Today hosts, the jolly gift-giver appeared on a North Pole float — accompanied by The Bear actress Liza Colón-Zayas as Mrs. Claus. Lindsay Kimble, People.com, 28 Nov. 2024
Noun
The 4Chan programmers got their viral sensation and their jollies. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 6 Apr. 2024 Sunday was a tough day for those, like me, who get their entertainment jollies by watching losers try to redeem themselves. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2024
Verb
As to the political will needed to jolly the process along, and arrange payment for those parts of the programme that will not pay for themselves, this can push both ways. The Economist, 21 Sep. 2019 So Watt sets out to convince them that the real killer is Peter Manuel by — wait for it! — taking him out on a bender and jollying him into a confession. Marilyn Stasio, New York Times, 19 May 2017 See all Example Sentences for jolly 

Word History

Etymology

Adjective, Adverb, Noun, and Verb

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

First Known Use

Adjective

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

Adverb

1549, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1905, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1610, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of jolly was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near jolly

Cite this Entry

“Jolly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jolly. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

jolly

1 of 2 adjective
jol·​ly ˈjäl-ē How to pronounce jolly (audio)
jollier; jolliest
1
2
: very pleasant or agreeable : splendid

jolly

2 of 2 adverb
: very entry 2 sense 1
a jolly good time

More from Merriam-Webster on jolly

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