Definitions

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

Ms. Wiles seems, in the piece, to have been allowed, perhaps even encouraged, to view her interlocutor as her friend, her jolly confidante.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 18, 2025

Target, meanwhile, brings back Kris K., a jolly bearded Christmas enthusiast introduced in a 2024 campaign.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 15, 2025

Tis supposed to be the season to be jolly.

From Barron's • Dec. 1, 2025

Fritz was a name Marly always thought of as plump and jolly.

From "Miracles on Maple Hill" by Virginia Sorensen

jolly

Example Sentences

Related Words