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Definitions

jovial

[joh-vee-uhl] / ˈdʒoʊ vi əl /
ADJECTIVE
happy
Synonyms
STRONGEST
affable amiable buoyant cheery chipper convivial cordial festive good-natured jolly lighthearted pleasant sociable
WEAK
airy animated bantering blithe blithesome bouncy chaffing chirpy companionable conversable daffy delightful dizzy enjoyable facetious festal gay glad gleeful hilarious humorous jocose jocund jokey jollying joshing jubilant larking loony lots of laughs merry mirthful nutty off-the-wall
Antonyms
STRONGEST
depressed disagreeable gloomy hateful heavy-hearted mean surly unfriendly unhappy unpleasant unsociable
WEAK
sad

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.

The jovial royal believes he can persuade Jerry to change course.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2026

But for now he is a jovial Irish scamp, with the merest hint of a dark streak; where Sherlock comes from money, James, as he’s called here, is at school on a scholarship.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 3, 2026

Considering the somber subject, Mr. Gallot’s jovial tone may surprise.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 31, 2025

Since arriving in New York last weekend, Raducanu has cut a jovial figure - particularly during her outing alongside Carlos Alcaraz in the revamped mixed doubles event.

From BBC • Aug. 24, 2025

She was compliant, jovial even, and Recruiter #1 noted in his log that there might be something fatally wrong with the subject’s mind.

From "The Marrow Thieves" by Cherie Dimaline