I. ˈjä-lē adjective
( jol·li·er ; -est )
Etymology: Middle English joli, from Anglo-French jolif, from jol-, probably from Old Norse jōl midwinter festival — more at yule
Date: 14th century
1.
a.
(1) : full of high spirits : joyous
(2) : given to conviviality : jovial
b. : expressing, suggesting, or inspiring gaiety : cheerful
2. : extremely pleasant or agreeable : splendid
Synonyms: see merry
II. adverb
Date: 1549
: very
would…do as they were jolly well told — John Stockbridge
III. verb
( jol·lied ; jol·ly·ing )
Date: 1610
intransitive verb
: to engage in good-natured banter
transitive verb
: to put or try to put in good humor especially to gain an end
IV. noun
( plural jollies )
Date: 1905
1. chiefly British : a good time : jollification
2. plural : kicks
get their jollies by reenacting famous murders — H. F. Waters