jolly
/ˈdʒɒli/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈdʒɑːli/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈjä-lē/ (ame, mw) · /ˈdʒɒl.i/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈdʒɑː.li/ (ame, ipa)
jolly — adjective
- jollypositive
- jolliercomparative
- jolliestsuperlative
1. feeling or showing happiness and a lively, good mood
feeling or showing happiness and a lively, good mood
Grandma Rosa was in a jolly mood as she baked cookies for the children.
collocation: jolly mood
Theo gave a jolly laugh when his dog chased its own tail in circles.
A jolly group of singers walked through the park, waving at everyone they passed.
The shopkeeper always greets customers with a jolly smile and a friendly wave.
Nora felt jolly after receiving a long letter from her cousin in Tokyo.
用法筆記
Commonly used with nouns describing people's moods or expressions, such as 'mood', 'laugh', 'smile', 'spirit'.
常見錯誤
2. providing pleasure, amusement, or entertainment that makes people feel happy
providing pleasure, amusement, or entertainment that makes people feel happy
We had a jolly evening playing board games and eating pizza together.
collocation: have a jolly [time/evening]
The school fair was a jolly event with music, games, and homemade cakes.
Hiroshi's birthday party turned into a jolly celebration that lasted all afternoon.
The tour guide made the boat trip jolly with funny stories about the harbour.
The Watanabes hosted a jolly Christmas dinner with carol singing between courses.
用法筆記
Describes events, activities, or social gatherings rather than people. Common with temporal nouns like 'evening', 'afternoon', 'party', 'time'.
常見錯誤
3. having a bright, cheerful, and pleasant appearance that catches the eye
having a bright, cheerful, and pleasant appearance that catches the eye
The cafe walls were painted a jolly shade of yellow that made the room sunny.
describes colours and decorations
Siti chose a jolly red scarf to brighten up her plain winter coat.
Kim's garden was full of jolly pink flowers that bloomed from early spring until autumn.
The children's bedroom had jolly wallpaper covered in little stars and moons.
Elena admired the jolly colours of the handmade quilts at the village market.
用法筆記
Typically describes colours, patterns, decorations, or visual details that create a cheerful impression. Less common for describing people's appearance directly.
jolly — adverb
1. used before an adjective or adverb to emphasise that something is the case to a
used before an adjective or adverb to emphasise that something is the case to a high degree; very
Theo thought the exam was jolly difficult, but he passed anyway.
pattern: jolly + adjective
The neighbours were jolly kind to help Sofia move her furniture upstairs.
We finished the hike jolly quickly because the trail was mostly downhill.
The night-shift nurse found the hospital corridor jolly quiet after midnight.
Lin felt jolly tired after working double shifts all week at the factory.
- very
neutral and standard; 'jolly' is more informal and mainly British
- awfully
similar informal British intensifier
- jolly well
emphatic form used before verbs, e.g. 'I jolly well told him'
文法句型
jolly + adjective/adverb
用法筆記
British informal use. Cannot be used before every adjective — most common with everyday adjectives describing degree, difficulty, or subjective states. 'Jolly good' is a fixed expression of approval. Do not use in formal writing.
常見錯誤
jolly — verb
- jollypresent simple I / you / we / they
- jollies3rd person singular
- jollying-ing form
- jolliedpast simple
1. to talk or joke with someone in a cheerful, friendly way, especially to persuade
to talk or joke with someone in a cheerful, friendly way, especially to persuade them to do something or simply to lift their spirits
Mei jollied her little brother into tidying his room by promising to read him a story.
pattern: jolly someone into [doing]
Dr. Okonkwo jollied the nervous patient with jokes before giving the injection.
The team leader jollied the tired workers by ordering pizza and playing cheerful music.
Nora jollied the shy new student into joining the drama club rehearsal after lunch.
The coach jollied the players before the match with funny stories from his school days.
文法句型
jolly someone
jolly someone into doing something
用法筆記
Frequently used with 'into + gerund' to indicate persuasion through cheerfulness. The object is typically a person who is reluctant, nervous, or in low spirits. More common in British English than in American English.
常見錯誤
jolly — noun
- jollysingular
- jolliesplural
1. a short trip, party, or event that is organised mainly for enjoyment rather than
a short trip, party, or event that is organised mainly for enjoyment rather than for any serious purpose
The office staff went on a jolly to the seaside for a game of volleyball.
collocation: go on a jolly
Grandpa still recalls the village jolly from his youth in the 1960s.
dated British usage
The Watanabe family organised a weekend jolly with a picnic and a boat ride.
Some politicians were criticised for using public money to fund a jolly abroad.
Deepak suggested a little jolly after work on Friday to celebrate the project.
文法句型
a jolly
go on a jolly
用法筆記
Now somewhat dated in everyday speech. Often carries a slightly critical tone when used to describe an official trip taken at someone else's expense (e.g. 'a taxpayer-funded jolly'). In older British English, it was a neutral term for any pleasure outing.