jolly

[jol-ee] / ˈdʒɒl i /

ADJECTIVE

laughing, joyful

Synonyms

STRONGEST

carefree cheerful chipper convivial enjoyable festive jovial joyous lighthearted merry playful pleasant

STRONG

entertaining gay joshing larking

WEAK

blithe blithesome bouncy chirpy daffy delightful frolicsome gladsome gleeful happy jocund jokey jubilant lots of laughs mirthful sportive sprightly

Antonyms

STRONGEST

depressed disagreeable gloomy grave sad serious troubled unhappy unpleasant upset worried

STRONG

dull unamusing

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

And maybe Van Dyke is a little like Santa: white hair, rosy cheeks, jolly and wholesome.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 2, 2026

“Good Pope John” was far more than the jolly Italian nonno of popular legend.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 4, 2025

When embarking on technical descriptions, he often adds a touch of whimsy to jolly the reader along.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 28, 2025

Mr Lakanwal was a GPS tracker specialist, the former commander told the BBC, describing him as a "sporty and jolly character".

From BBC • Nov. 27, 2025

While our backs were turned, he’d tiptoe back to the driver’s seat—a jolly Santa Claus in mufti—and press down on the horn.

From "Cheaper by the Dozen" by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey

jolly

Example Sentences

Related Words