# jolly

/ˈdʒɑɫi/ (US) · /dʒˈɒli/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/jolly
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. happy and cheerful

adjective · CEFR B1

happy, cheerful, and full of energy.

For teachers: full of high spirits, merriment, or joviality.

- The jolly shopkeeper always greeted his customers with a big smile and a joke.
- The host was a jolly man whose infectious laughter and warm hospitality immediately put the nervous guests at ease.

### 2. a pleasure trip

noun · CEFR C1 · British English · Informal · Humorous

a fun trip or holiday, especially one paid for by a company or the government.

For teachers: a pleasure trip or excursion, often one perceived as unnecessary or funded by an employer.

- The politicians were criticized for going on a jolly to the coast using public money.
- While the official purpose was a trade conference, most observers regarded the week-long stay in Hawaii as a corporate jolly.

Usage: Often used in the plural form 'jollies' in other contexts, but 'a jolly' refers to the trip itself.

Teaching tip: This is very specific to British English and usually carries a slightly critical or mocking tone.

### 3. very or extremely

adverb · CEFR B2 · British English · Informal

used to mean 'very' or 'extremely' to emphasize what you are saying.

For teachers: used as an intensifier meaning 'very' or 'extremely'.

- You had better be careful, because it is jolly cold outside today.
- The headmaster made it jolly clear that any further disruptions would result in immediate suspension from the team.

Usage: Typically placed before an adjective or another adverb.

Teaching tip: This usage sounds somewhat old-fashioned or upper-class to modern ears; it is less common among younger speakers.

### 4. to encourage or cheer up

verb · CEFR C2 · Informal

to try to make someone feel better or do something by being very friendly to them.

For teachers: to encourage or manipulate someone in a friendly, cheerful manner, often to keep them in a good mood.

- We had to jolly him along to get him to finish the project on time.
- The manager spent the afternoon jollying the staff along, hoping to maintain morale during the stressful office relocation.

Usage: Commonly used in the phrasal form 'jolly along'.

Teaching tip: This sense implies a level of social management or gentle persuasion.

## Examples

- The jolly man laughed loudly at the joke.
- The office party was a jolly event where everyone forgot about their deadlines for a few hours.
- Despite the freezing temperatures outside, the host maintained a jolly demeanor that made every guest feel immediately welcome and at ease.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.