jolly

See also Jolly

English

Etymology

From Middle English joli, jolif (“merry, cheerful”), from Old French joli, jolif It is uncertain whether the Old French word is from Old Norse jól (“a midwinter feast”) (more at yule), in which case, equivalent to yule +‎ -ive; or ultimately from Latin gaudere (more at joy). For the loss of final -f in English compare tardy, hasty.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA: /ˈdʒɒ.li/, X-SAMPA: /"dZQ.li/

  Rhymes: -ɒli

Adjective

jolly (comparative jollier, superlative jolliest)

1. Full of high and merry spirits; jovial.

Translations

jovial — see jovial

Noun

jolly (plural jollies)

1. (UK) a pleasure trip or excursion

Adverb

jolly (comparative more jolly, superlative most jolly)

1. (UK, dated) very, extremely

Derived terms

• jolly well

Verb

jolly (third-person singular simple present jollies, present participle jollying, simple past and past participle jollied)

1. (transitive) To amuse or divert.

Derived terms

• jolly someone along

References

• JOLLY in the 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica, vol. 15, p. 495.

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Italian

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈdʒolli/

Noun

jolly m (invariable)

1. joker (playing card)
2. wild card