Jollity
What it means
Cheerful activity, laughter, and shared enjoyment.
Reach for it when naming a lively social atmosphere in traditional or literary prose
Warm lights and music added jollity to the winter gathering.
Words to choose between 6
| playful | |
|---|---|
| everyday | |
| warm | |
| formal | |
| literary |
|
-
playful
Fits when the group's energetic mood is the main impression
Careful High spirits can become disruptive and need not be welcoming.
-
everyday
Fits when visible good spirits should sound plain
Careful Cheer is broader and can mean encouragement or a shout.
-
warm
Fits when shared laughter and festive pleasure are central
Careful Merriment is slightly more active and less about the quality of an atmosphere.
-
formal
Fits when easy friendly sociability around others is central
Careful Bonhomie is clubby and calmer than lively jollity.
-
formal
festivity
Fits when organized celebration shapes the setting
Careful Festivity may be ceremonial without much laughter.
-
literary
Fits when bright social pleasure suits historical prose
Careful Gaiety is dated and can be misunderstood through modern identity language.
Opposites 3
- gloom
- misery
- sombreness
Common phrases 3
-
seasonal jollity
Seasonal jollity spread through the market without crowding the quiet stallholders.
-
air of jollity
An air of jollity returned once the missing child was found.
-
general jollity
General jollity accompanied the volunteers' final meal together.
Word family 3
Usage notes
Keep in mind
Jollity is somewhat old-fashioned. Merriment or cheer will usually sound more natural.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Vealhurl, Southern England accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updated