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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.

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

Evan is also staying jolly, having joked that he would soon be going really fast in his wheelchair, which he currently uses at school.

From BBC • Dec. 12, 2025

Puckish humor, high-culture references and interior artwork by Ashley Mackenzie and Virginia Allyn give excitement and heft to this jolly read for children ages 10 and older.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 12, 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

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