Jollity

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.

• playful

  high spirits

  the group's energetic mood is the main impression

  not when High spirits can become disruptive and need not be welcoming.

• everyday

  cheer

  visible good spirits should sound plain

  not when Cheer is broader and can mean encouragement or a shout.

• warm

  merriment

  shared laughter and festive pleasure are central

  not when Merriment is slightly more active and less about the quality of an atmosphere.

• formal

  bonhomie

  easy friendly sociability around others is central

  not when Bonhomie is clubby and calmer than lively jollity.

• formal

  festivity

  organized celebration shapes the setting

  not when Festivity may be ceremonial without much laughter.

• literary

  gaiety

  bright social pleasure suits historical prose

  not when Gaiety is dated and can be misunderstood through modern identity language.

• gloom
• misery
• sombreness

• 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.

• Jolly adj.
• Jollily adv.
• Jolliness n.

Jollity is somewhat old-fashioned. Merriment or cheer will usually sound more natural.