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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.

Play is a fitting way to describe Atencio’s contributions to two of Disneyland’s most beloved attractions, where pirates and ghosts are captured at their most frivolous and jovial.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 5, 2025

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 31, 2025

“I hope people will see me and see a happy, jovial person who has the same heritage as them.”

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 6, 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

He was a jovial, smiling man, if one could believe the mask he wore, for upon it was painted not one smile, but three.

From "The Martian Chronicles" by Ray Bradbury

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