Jollity: meaning, definitions and examples

😄

Add to dictionary

jollity

[ˈdʒɒlɪti ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

feeling of joy

Jollity is the state of feeling or expressing great happiness and joy. It is characterized by lightheartedness, cheerfulness, and merriment.

Synonyms

cheerfulness, glee, merriment.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
jollity	Best used for describing lively and cheerful enjoyment, often in the context of parties, celebrations, or festive gatherings. The holiday party was filled with jollity and laughter. There was a sense of jollity in the air during the festival.
merriment	Used to describe high-spirited fun and enjoyment, often in social settings. It is similar to 'jollity' but can feel a bit more formal or old-fashioned. After the ceremony, the evening was filled with merriment and dance. The children's faces were bright with merriment during the picnic.
cheerfulness	Refers to a general mood of being happy and optimistically positive. Suitable for everyday use and not particularly intense. Her cheerfulness is contagious, making everyone around her smile. Despite the bad news, he managed to maintain his cheerfulness.
glee	Suitable for expressing exuberant joy, often used in playful or triumphant contexts. It can sometimes carry a slight connotation of mischievous enjoyment. She clapped her hands with glee when she found out she won the contest. The children were filled with glee as they opened their presents.

Examples of usage

The jollity in the room was infectious, spreading from one person to another.
Her laughter filled the air with jollity and warmth.
The children's faces were aglow with jollity as they played in the park.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

festive atmosphere

Jollity can also refer to a festive and lively atmosphere, especially during celebrations or parties. It is marked by laughter, music, and a general sense of merrymaking.

Synonyms

festivity, joviality, merrymaking.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
jollity	For describing a state of cheerful happiness and good spirits, often in a social setting. The jollity of the holiday season is infectious; their laughter and jollity spread through the room
festivity	Used to talk about celebrations, especially larger or more formal events. The neighborhood festivity included a parade and fireworks; festive decorations adorned every house
merrymaking	Focuses on the act of having fun and enjoying oneself, usually in a lively and noisy way. The merrymaking lasted well into the night; they were arrested for public merrymaking after curfew
joviality	Describes a cheerful and friendly behavior, often implying a warmhearted, good-natured spirit. His joviality made everyone feel at ease; you could always count on her for a bit of joviality at the party

Examples of usage

The jollity of the carnival could be heard from miles away.
The jollity of the wedding reception was evident in the smiles of the guests.
The town square was filled with jollity during the annual holiday festival.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Middle English 'jollite', which means merriment or joy.
The root 'jolly' has roots in the Old French 'joli', meaning pretty or cheerful, showing a connection to happiness.
The shift in usage over centuries highlights how our understanding of fun and celebration has evolved.

Cultural Significance

In many cultures, gatherings filled with jollity represent communal bonds and shared joy, often during festivals or celebrations.
Songs and dance forms around the world frequently center on themes of jollity, reflecting the universal appreciation for joy.
In literature, the concept of jollity often contrasts with somber elements, emphasizing the joyful moments in storytelling.

Psychology

Experiencing jollity can release dopamine, the chemical in our brains that makes us feel happy and relaxed.
Shared laughter and experiences of jollity can strengthen social bonds and improve relationships.
Psychological studies suggest that environments full of jollity can enhance creativity and problem-solving skills.

Literature

Jollity often appears in poetry and prose as a motif for joy, contrasting with themes of sorrow or hardship.
Classic novels frequently depict jollity during gatherings to illustrate characters' connections and societal norms.
Many children's stories emphasize jollity to engage young audiences and impart lessons about friendship and fun.

Festivals

Many cultural festivals around the world, such as Carnival and Diwali, celebrate jollity with colorful parades and joyful music.
Holidays like Christmas and New Year’s are filled with jollity, bringing people together for merriment and celebration.
In various traditions, jollity is seen as essential for expressing gratitude and appreciation among communities.

Translations

Translations of the word "jollity" in other languages:

🇵🇹 alegria

🇮🇳 हर्ष

🇩🇪 Fröhlichkeit

🇮🇩 kegembiraan

🇺🇦 веселість

🇵🇱 wesołość

🇯🇵 陽気

🇫🇷 joie

🇪🇸 alegría

🇹🇷 neşe

🇰🇷 즐거움

🇸🇦 بهجة

🇨🇿 radost

🇸🇰 radosť

🇨🇳 欢乐

🇸🇮 veselost

🇮🇸 gleði

🇰🇿 қуаныш

🇬🇪 სიხარული

🇦🇿 şənlik

🇲🇽 alegría

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #30,455 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.

...
30452 sloshing
30453 snorkeling
30454 regatta
30455 jollity
30456 acyclovir
30457 lynchings
30458 sequins
...