What does jolliest mean?
Jolliest is the superlative form of 'jolly' and means the most cheerful, merry, or full of fun. It is especially natural when describing people's moods, celebrations, or personalities: a child may be the jolliest member of the family, and a party may be described as the jolliest occasion of the year. In informal British English, 'jolly' can also act as an intensifier meaning 'very' or 'extremely', as in 'a jolly good time' or 'I jolly well knew'. The word generally carries a warm, positive, slightly playful connotation. Although 'jolliest' is most often used of people, it can also describe an event, place, or experience that is especially merry or congenial. It belongs mainly to everyday speech and informal writing rather than formal registers.
adjectiveCheerful, merry, and full of good spirits; in informal contexts, it can also mean very or extremely.
- Merry, cheerful, and full of good spirits.
- Very or extremely, especially in informal British English.
- Pleasing, congenial, or convivial.
"The children were the jolliest group at the party."
"The whole family looked the jolliest once they heard the good news."
"That was a jolly good idea, and everyone agreed."
Jolly has a surprisingly playful ancestry: it comes from a word associated with jests and merriment, so its cheerful sound and meaning are closely linked.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of jolliest
The adjective 'jolly' comes through Old French from Latin roots associated with 'joculus', meaning a little jest or joke. The word originally referred to mirth and joking, and its sense developed toward the modern meaning of cheerful or merry. Related English words include 'jocular', 'jocund', and 'jocularity', all reflecting the same broader association with laughter and play.
Related word forms
How jolliest is actually used
As an intensifier, 'jolly' is chiefly informal and common in British English, as in 'jolly well'. It can sound old-fashioned in formal writing.