jolly

jol-ly · adjective

imported

Definitions

adjective

  1. 1.

    Happy and cheerful; full of good humor.

  2. 2.

    Very; extremely.

  3. 3.

    To encourage someone in a friendly way; to coax.

  4. 4.

    Lively and enjoyable.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    jolly good — (British) very good; excellent
  • •
    jolly well — (British) certainly; definitely (used for emphasis)
  • •
    Jolly Roger — the traditional pirate flag with skull and crossbones
  • •
    jolly someone along — to keep someone happy or cooperative

Related words

Antonyms: gloomy, miserable, sad
See also: cheerful, happy, jovial, merry
Synonyms: cheerful, happy, jovial, merry

Etymology

From Old French joli ("merry, pleasant, pretty"), possibly of Norse origin related to jól ("Yule, midwinter festival").