C1adjective 5K

Jolly

UK //ˈdʒɒli// US //ˈdʒɑːli// Pronunciation

Definition

Cheerful and full of good humor.

Listen to definition

In simple words: Very happy and cheerful.

Examples

• The jolly man made everyone laugh at the party.
• She wore a jolly smile that brightened the room.
• They planned a jolly celebration for the holidays.
• His jolly laughter was infectious, spreading joy to all.
• The story featured a jolly old man who loved children.

Usage notes

Used to describe a cheerful mood or character. Often used in festive contexts, like 'jolly Christmas'.

Grammar pattern

standalone adjective

Memory hint

Think of 'jolly' as 'jolly good fun'—a phrase that means great happiness.

Collocations

• jolly good
• jolly fellow
• jolly time

Synonyms

• cheerful
• happy
• merry
• joyful
• delightful

Antonyms

• sad
• unhappy
• gloomy

Common mistakes

• Used too formally in serious contexts.
• Confused with 'jolly' as a noun.
• Overused in everyday conversation.