Jolly
What it means
Cheerful, friendly, and visibly full of good humor.
Reach for it when describing a sociable upbeat manner with an informal traditional flavor
The jolly shopkeeper remembered every child's favorite fruit.
Words to choose between 6
| playful | |
|---|---|
| everyday | |
| warm |
|
| professional | |
| formal | |
| literary |
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playful
full of beans
Fits when high informal energy is the intended charm
Careful The idiom can sound childish and says little about kindness.
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everyday
Fits when steady bright spirits are the plain quality
Careful Cheerful is more neutral and less hearty or social than jolly.
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professional
Fits when patience and friendly amusement matter
Careful Good-humored is calmer and says less about lively cheer.
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formal
Fits when optimistic energy stays light despite difficulty
Careful Buoyant focuses on emotional resilience rather than sociable humor.
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formal
Fits when warm sociability and hearty humor suit adult company
Careful Jovial is more polished and can feel performative in a quiet setting.
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literary
Fits when festive laughter and traditional celebration shape the mood
Careful Merry is strongly seasonal in modern use.
Opposites 3
- gloomy
- surly
- miserable
Common phrases 3
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jolly mood
A jolly mood spread once the lost instruments arrived.
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jolly fellow
The jolly fellow at the gate made each family feel expected.
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jolly good
The repair was a jolly good result from a very small budget.
Word family 3
Usage notes
Keep in mind
Jolly can sound old-fashioned, stereotypical, or dismissive of difficult feelings.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Commander Keane, Australian accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updated