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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.

Another film, “Gasman,” was full of jolly japes about everyday corruption.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

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

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 2, 2026

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 15, 2025

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell may not be anyone’s idea of jolly, but he has still left something of a gift for Wall Street as Christmas approaches.

From Barron's • Dec. 11, 2025

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

From "Miracles on Maple Hill" by Virginia Sorensen

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.