What does jolly mean?
Jolly means cheerful, merry, and full of good humour, especially in a way that suggests warmth, playfulness, or high spirits. It is commonly used for people, atmospheres, and informal descriptions of enjoyable or lively things: “a jolly laugh,” “a jolly celebration,” or “jolly good.” The word can also add a sense of energy, vigour, or affectionate familiarity, especially in the expression “jolly old,” as in “a jolly old man.” In British English, “jolly well” is a familiar intensifier meaning “very” or “definitely,” often with a slightly challenging or emphatic tone. Although “jolly” is widely understood in both British and American English, some of its older expressions sound traditional or informal. It remains a warm, approachable word that conveys a more particular kind of cheerfulness than simply “good” or “happy.”
Cheerful, merry, and full of good humour; lively or festive.
"A jolly crowd gathered outside the theatre."
“Jolly” is informal to neutral in general use, though it can sound traditional or old-fashioned in phrases such as “jolly old.”
Used in informal emphatic expressions, especially “jolly well,” to mean “very” or “definitely.”
"I jolly well intend to finish the work today."
The adverbial use is especially associated with British English and is more emphatic than casual, often mildly emphatic or challenging.
To enjoy oneself or take part in lively amusement, especially in the informal expression “jolly along.”
"We spent the afternoon jolly along at the fair."
This use is informal and is now chiefly found in British English.
From “jolly old” to “jolly well,” this cheerful word has powered affectionate British and American expressions for generations.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does jolly come from?
The word entered Middle English in the late medieval period, probably through Old French forms meaning “pretty” or “merry.” Its further historical development involved a long-established European word family concerned with brightness, enjoyment, and cheerfulness, with related English forms including “jollity” and “jocular.” The modern sense of the word gradually settled around cheerfulness and high spirits, while phrases such as “jolly good” and “jolly well” developed their additional intensifying and emphatic uses.
Related word forms
How jolly is actually used
“Jolly” is natural in informal and literary contexts. “Jolly old” often expresses affection or fondness and is now somewhat old-fashioned, while “jolly well” is an emphatic, mildly informal intensifier, especially in British English.
Easily confused with jolly
“Jolly” is the more familiar everyday adjective for being cheerful and merry, whereas “jovial” is more formal and often suggests a convivial, high-spirited manner.
“Jolly” can describe a person’s cheerful manner or a festive atmosphere, while “gay” has become especially associated with sexual orientation and may sound unusual when used simply to mean cheerful.