I. ˈjälē, -li adjective
( -er/-est )
Etymology: Middle English jolif, joli, from Old French jolif, joli, from jol- (probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse jōl Yule, feast) + -if -ive — more at yule
1.
a.
(1) : full of high spirits : gay , joyous
think no more, lad; laugh, be jolly — A.E.Housman
seems pretty comfortable and jolly — Rachel Henning
(2) : given to conviviality : festive , jovial
a jolly and carefree companion — R.W.Pickford
jolly sportsmen … reserved time enough to frolic — American Guide Series: Massachusetts
b. : attended or marked by mirth or gaiety : expressing, suggesting, inspiring, or reflecting a mood of gaiety : cheerful , bright
impressed by his jolly air of success — Arnold Bennett
the last movement is a jolly rondo — Virgil Thomson
entirely in the right of it to lead a jolly life — George Eliot
had a jolly time
thickets of hawthorn and holly with jolly little streams — S.P.B.Mais
the countryside has a jolly quality — Rebecca West
2. now dialect England
a. : gay and attractive in manner and appearance
b. : appearing healthy or in good condition : sleek , plump , large
3. : exremely pleasant or agreeable : delightful , splendid , bully
jolly little open carriages — O.S.Nock
what a jolly new world it is — T.R.Ybarra
studying the … jolly curve of her cheek — Vera Caspary
why, that's real jolly
Synonyms: see merry
II. adverb
: very , remarkably
did a lot of things that were jolly foolish — R.H.Newman
hoped it would be a jolly good lesson to them — Dorothy Sayers
— often used as an intensive
they would kindly do as they were jolly well told — John Stockbridge
III. verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
intransitive verb
: to engage in good-natured banter or raillery : chaff , kid
jollied and joked with sailors in the street — Dixon Wecter
transitive verb
1. : to put or seek to put in good humor especially to gain some end : coax , wheedle , indulge
jollying the illiterate populace along towards the new age — Roland Mathias
jollied my mother by joining her on the sofa — Peter De Vries
do be good … and jolly him along — Robertson Davies
try to pay for their entertainment by jollying us along — S.E.White
2. : to form or shape with a jolly
IV. noun
( -es )
1. Britain : marine
2. chiefly Britain : a sociable good time : jollification
3. or jol·ley also jol·lie “ -s : a potter's machine like a jigger used for flatware (as plates or saucers) and hollow ware