jolly
adj. · n. · adv. · v.-
1 happy and cheerful (adj.) B1 Intermediatehappy, cheerful, and full of energy.
full of high spirits, merriment, or joviality.
ExampleThe jolly shopkeeper always greeted his customers with a big smile and a joke.
ExampleThe host was a jolly man whose infectious laughter and warm hospitality immediately put the nervous guests at ease.
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2 a pleasure trip (n.) C1 Advanced British English Informal Humorousa fun trip or holiday, especially one paid for by a company or the government.
a pleasure trip or excursion, often one perceived as unnecessary or funded by an employer.
ExampleThe politicians were criticized for going on a jolly to the coast using public money.
ExampleWhile the official purpose was a trade conference, most observers regarded the week-long stay in Hawaii as a corporate jolly.
UsageOften used in the plural form 'jollies' in other contexts, but 'a jolly' refers to the trip itself.
Teacher's tipThis is very specific to British English and usually carries a slightly critical or mocking tone.
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3 very or extremely (adv.) B2 Upper Intermediate British English Informalused to mean 'very' or 'extremely' to emphasize what you are saying.
used as an intensifier meaning 'very' or 'extremely'.
ExampleYou had better be careful, because it is jolly cold outside today.
ExampleThe headmaster made it jolly clear that any further disruptions would result in immediate suspension from the team.
UsageTypically placed before an adjective or another adverb.
Teacher's tipThis usage sounds somewhat old-fashioned or upper-class to modern ears; it is less common among younger speakers.
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4 to encourage or cheer up (v.) C2 Proficiency Informalto try to make someone feel better or do something by being very friendly to them.
to encourage or manipulate someone in a friendly, cheerful manner, often to keep them in a good mood.
ExampleWe had to jolly him along to get him to finish the project on time.
ExampleThe manager spent the afternoon jollying the staff along, hoping to maintain morale during the stressful office relocation.
UsageCommonly used in the phrasal form 'jolly along'.
Teacher's tipThis sense implies a level of social management or gentle persuasion.
From Middle English joli, jolif (“merry, cheerful”), from Old French joli, jolif (“merry, joyful”). For the loss of final -f in English, compare tardy, hasty, hussy, etc. It is uncertain whether the Old French word is from Old Norse jól ("a midwinter feast, Yule", hence "fest-ive"), in which case, equivalent to yule + -ive, compare Dutch jolig (“happy, festive, frolicsome, jolly”), West Frisian joelich, joalich (“merry, jolly”), Middle High German jœlich (“hooting, jubilant”). Alternatively, the Old French adjective has been conjectured to derive from a Vulgar Latin gaudivus (from Latin gaudeō, more at joy), in which case it would require Early Old French ⟨d⟩ /ð/ to irregularly become ⟨l⟩ in jolif rather than being dropped, which is the usual case (alternatively, /l/ may be a hiatus filler inserted into expected joïf). A possible parallel of ⟨d⟩ to ⟨l⟩ can be seen in the French name Valois, according to one hypothesis from Latin Vadensis, though this origin is itself uncertain and disputed.