~ 1
■ adjective ( jollier , jolliest ) happy and cheerful.
↘ informal lively and entertaining.
■ verb ( jollies , ~ing , jollied ) informal encourage in a friendly way.
↘( ~ someone/thing up ) make someone or something more ~.
■ adverb Brit. informal very.
■ noun ( plural jollies ) Brit. informal a party or celebration.
Phrases
get one's jollies informal have a good time; have fun.
~ well Brit. informal used for emphasis: I should ~ well hope so!
Derivatives
jollily adverb
jolliness noun
Origin
ME: from OFr. jolif , an earlier form of joli 'pretty', perh. from ON jól (see Yule ).
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~ 2
(also ~ boat )
■ noun ( plural jollies ) a clinker-built ship's boat that is smaller than a cutter.
Origin
C18: perh. related to yawl .