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.

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

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 4, 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

“Nice weather for hitching,” he said with a laugh, which, seriously, I can only describe as jolly.

From "Anthem of a Reluctant Prophet" by Joanne Proulx

jolly

Example Sentences

Related Words