Jol

n.energetic, joyfulplayful

What it means

A party or enjoyable time in South African English.

Reach for it when naming informal shared fun with a distinctly South African voice

The neighborhood jol brought former classmates together for music and food.

playful
bash
a large energetic celebration is intended
not when Bash suggests scale and noise that a relaxed jol may not have.
playful
shindig
folksy exuberance suits the sentence
not when Shindig substitutes North American regional color for South African usage.
everyday
night out
friends enjoy entertainment away from home
not when A night out need not be a shared party and excludes daytime gatherings.
everyday
party
the broad familiar term is best for an international audience
not when Party loses jol's regional identity and can include formal political groups.
warm
get-together
friendly reunion matters more than dancing
not when Get-together can be quiet and lacks the lively local flavor.
formal
celebration
a milestone or success gives the gathering its purpose
not when A jol can happen simply for fun without commemorating anything.

weekend jol
The weekend jol raised enough money to repair the youth center.
proper jol
They planned a proper jol once the long restoration was complete.
community jol
A community jol filled the schoolyard with music and shared dishes.

Jol is South African informal usage; many English readers will need context.

The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.