What does jollity mean?
Jollity is a noun denoting cheerful celebration, merriment, and lively enjoyment, particularly when shared with other people. It suggests a festive atmosphere involving laughter, music, companionship, or communal activity, so it commonly occurs in descriptions of holidays, weddings, and traditional celebrations. Although the word can indicate exuberant or even noisy merrymaking, it generally carries a positive, affectionate tone rather than suggesting disorder. In modern prose, jollity is most likely to appear in literary, historical, or nostalgic contexts, often alongside seasonal expressions such as "Christmas jollity." It is more specific and evocative than a general reference to happiness, but less boisterous than words implying wild revelry. The term remains established in formal and literary English in both British and American usage.
nounJollity means cheerful celebration, merriment, or lively enjoyment, especially in the company of other people.
- Cheerful celebration, merriment, or lively enjoyment, especially in the company of other people.
"The music and dancing filled the hall with Christmas jollity."
"Music, laughter, and good food contributed to the evening's jollity."
"The old festival is now remembered chiefly for its warmth and jollity rather than its religious observance."
The plural is grammatically possible but uncommon; "jollity" is normally used as a mass noun.
"The village was known for the jollities of its annual festival."
Jollity captures more than simple happiness: it evokes the shared, lively pleasure of people celebrating together.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does jollity come from?
Jollity entered English in the early 17th century and was formed from the adjective "jolly," meaning merry or cheerful. The adjective itself developed from the earlier form "jolli" and ultimately has roots in an Old French word meaning handsome or fresh-looking, though its English sense became associated with merriment and conviviality. Its modern relatives include "jolliness" and the rare verb "jollify," meaning to make jolly.
Related word forms
How jollity is actually used
The word has a warm, celebratory tone and is especially associated with parties, holidays, and communal festivities. It is less common in everyday neutral contexts than words such as "fun" or "cheerfulness".