— jovially , adv. — jovialness , n.
/joh"vee euhl/ , adj.
1. endowed with or characterized by a hearty, joyous humor or a spirit of good-fellowship: a wonderfully jovial host.
2. ( cap. ) of or pertaining to the god Jove, or Jupiter.
[ 1580-90; jovialis of Jupiter (the planet, supposed to exert a happy influence), equiv. to L jovi- (see JOVIAN) + -alis -AL 1 ]
Syn. 1. merry, jolly, convivial, gay, joyful, mirthful. JOVIAL, JOCOSE, JOCULAR, JOCUND agree in referring to someone who is in a good humor. JOVIAL suggests a hearty, joyous humor: a jovial person. JOCOSE refers to that which causes laughter; it suggests someone who is playful and given to jesting: with jocose and comical airs. JOCULAR means humorous, facetious, mirthful, and waggish: jocular enough to keep up the spirits of all around him. JOCUND, now a literary word, suggests a cheerful, light-hearted, and sprightly gaiety: glad and jocund company.
Ant. 1. gloomy.