/ ˈdʒɒli; NAmE ˈdʒɑːli/ adjective , adverb , verb , noun
■ adjective ( jol·lier , jol·li·est )
1.
happy and cheerful :
a jolly crowd / face / mood
➡ note at cheerful
2.
( old-fashioned ) enjoyable :
a jolly evening / party / time
► jol·lity / ˈdʒɒləti; NAmE ˈdʒɑːl-/ noun [ U ] ( old-fashioned ):
scenes of high-spirits and jollity
■ adverb
( old-fashioned , BrE , informal ) very :
That's a jolly good idea.
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IDIOMS
- jolly good!
- jolly well
■ verb
( jol·lies , jolly·ing , jol·lied , jol·lied ) ( BrE )
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PHRASAL VERBS
- jolly sb along
- jolly sb into sth / into doing sth
- jolly sb/sth up
■ noun
( BrE ) a trip that you make for enjoyment
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IDIOMS
- get your jollies
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French jolif , an earlier form of joli pretty, perhaps from Old Norse jól , originally applied to a heathen festival lasting twelve days, later to Christmas.