How to Use jolly in a Sentence

jolly

1 of 3 adjective
Definition of jollynext
Synonyms for jollynext
  • She had a jolly time at the party.
  • Our boss was a very jolly man, always laughing.
  • The two took the royal train to Cheshire and seemed to have a jolly good time.
    — Abby Gardner, Glamour, 19 Mar. 2019
  • Ah, the jolly dance of progress, one step forward, one to the side, and three steps back!
    — Joseph Epstein, National Review, 17 Sep. 2020
  • There wouldn't be gifts from a jolly man dressed in red.
    — Alton Strupp, The Courier-Journal, 8 Aug. 2017
  • The event will include treats for kids and a chance to meet the jolly old elf himself.
    — Trevor Fraser, orlandosentinel.com, 16 Nov. 2019
  • Head coach Matt LaFleur went with a clean light green sport coat, while a few players were in a jolly mood.
    — Christopher Kuhagen, Journal Sentinel, 25 Dec. 2022
  • Each flat has a kitchen, and there is a jolly communal café.
    — The Economist, 18 Dec. 2019
  • Orr sings, and a creepy, jolly synth invites us to wonder why.
    — Sarah Larson, The New Yorker, 16 Sep. 2019
  • But those who believe all want to know one thing: where in the world the jolly old man and his sleigh full of gifts are on Christmas Eve.
    — James Anderson, USA TODAY, 25 Dec. 2019
  • Lawrence then laughed her comment off and the interview went on its jolly way, but the whole thing left me with a chill.
    — Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 27 Feb. 2018
  • Those merry eyes, the warmth, the ability to get the help cracking in a jolly way and then not so jolly.
    — Peggy Noonan, WSJ, 19 Apr. 2018
  • There were times when our conversations were the jolliest ones of my day.
    — Tom Carson, Los Angeles Magazine, 19 Feb. 2018
  • Or check out Jay Carney in 2013, putting a jolly face on the stumbling rollout of the Obamacare web site.
    — Seth Stevenson, Slate Magazine, 10 Apr. 2017
  • The jolly man in red will be driven through the streets of Norridge for a Santa Send Off starting at noon.
    — Myrna Petlicki, chicagotribune.com, 30 Nov. 2021
  • The consumer safety group has safety warnings for the holly jolly time of the year too.
    — Sara Smart and Justin Lear, CNN, 16 Nov. 2021
  • The suit dates back to before Jackson, 58, took on the jolly obligation.
    — Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 30 Dec. 2022
  • At a quick glance, the flora of Hyde Park has inspired Apple to provide this jolly scene.
    — David Phelan, Forbes, 18 July 2022
  • While Christine strained, the captain and the mate, both jolly fellows, laughed when the fish ran hard and threatened escape.
    — Steve Meyer, Alaska Dispatch News, 31 Oct. 2017
  • Stick arms, a basket hat, and a Halloween sign complete the picture with jolly flair.
    — Megan Fulweiler, Woman's Day, 5 Sep. 2019
  • And their gifts weren’t delivered by a jolly elf in a sleigh, but by emails to their band directors.
    — Amanda Rogers, star-telegram.com, 26 Apr. 2017
  • And new this year will be a special appearance by jolly old Saint Nick.
    — Faye Reeder, star-telegram, 28 Oct. 2017
  • No holly, jolly guy in a red suit throwing around candy canes and ho, ho, hos.
    — Allyson Reedy, The Know, 3 Dec. 2019
  • Harder than imagining a jolly fat man flying a sleigh around the world in one night?
    — Susan Svrluga, Anchorage Daily News, 24 Dec. 2017
  • The jolly drive of that theme contrasts the bleak environment.
    — Michael Phillips, chicagotribune.com, 26 Mar. 2018
  • Santa is just a jolly old fellow who wants to see everyone happy and deeply in the throes of love.
    — Lourdes Avila Uribe, Glamour, 24 Dec. 2018
  • The dad, a jolly type and freehanded with his affection, had slipped into Prune one night, on the late side, with his gal.
    — New York Times, 21 July 2021
  • There’s quite a contrast from Pierre’s soul-searching solo to the jolly chorus.
    — Diane Snyder, Billboard, 8 June 2017
  • There were eight red paper plates with jolly Rudolph patterns.
    — Mick Herron, WSJ, 22 Dec. 2017
  • That's the conclusion of a review paper in the Christmas issue of BMJ that asks the jolly question of whether laughter can kill.
    — Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 29 Aug. 2014
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jolly

2 of 3 adverb
  • She learned to be jolly careful in his presence.
  • No, not the jolly old man toiling away at the North Pole, but a town of the same name.
    — Jay Jones, chicagotribune.com, 25 Nov. 2020
  • The new version of the tune features the same groovy feel, but with a jolly twist.
    — Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 11 Dec. 2020
  • That’s bad news for jolly old St. Nick, who lives far away in the North Pole.
    — Marc Bain, Quartz, 11 Dec. 2019
  • In that jolly, bustling tearoom were the Great Things: love and loss, life and death.
    — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 22 Feb. 2021
  • Yakes said with a jolly smile under his mask and beard.
    — Slone Terranella, Detroit Free Press, 22 Dec. 2020
  • And then of course there's the jolly old man himself: Santa Claus.
    — Jamie Ballard, Woman's Day, 13 Nov. 2022
  • The ride was a pleasant one, the bus plump and jolly like a bus in a cartoon, with open windows and leather seats.
    — New York Times, 14 Apr. 2020
  • Cheers fans will rejoice at the reunion of Shelley Long and George Wendt, who star as the jolly in-laws.
    — Amy MacKelden, ELLE, 23 Nov. 2022
  • Tis the season to be jolly, joyous, and on your mother-in-law’s good side.
    — Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 23 Nov. 2021
  • Here's our big holiday roundup of how to get your jolly on with Christmas in the air.
    — Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 19 Nov. 2022
  • Kids are required to wear masks and keep a social distance from the jolly old elf.
    — John Benson, cleveland, 2 Dec. 2020
  • Having to stay away from nursing homes makes that big, jolly heart of his hurt.
    — Maggie Menderski, The Courier-Journal, 6 Apr. 2021
  • That’s’ the premise for the story of the discovery of a Joulupukki, a figure in Finnish folklore that led to the jolly fat man.
    — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 24 Jan. 2021
  • The 5-foot display has built-in LED lights, so guests can enjoy his jolly smile throughout the night.
    — Nicol Natale, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Nov. 2021
  • Zeca was a jolly middle-aged guy who took to Patrick Jr.
    — Joshuah Bearman, Vulture, 23 Aug. 2021
  • So, saddle up the reindeer and hit the road for a holly jolly Hill Country time.
    — Katie Friel, Chron, 22 Nov. 2021
  • As Christmas carols play in the background and the tips roll in, Santa thanks the senders with a jolly belly laugh.
    — Caroline Mimbs Nyce, The Atlantic, 3 Aug. 2023
  • Strap on some blades and, depending on your skill level, chop or glide across the ice for a jolly good time.
    — Brittany Anas, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2021
  • Thankfully for the Lightstones, this new version of the jolly old elf knows his way around a war zone.
    — Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 3 Dec. 2022
  • With the fire crackling, kids made s’mores and the jolly elf himself made an appearance.
    — Steve Smith, Hartford Courant, 27 Dec. 2022
  • As the Yuletide expression goes: 'tis the season to be jolly...
    — Amanda Randone, refinery29.com, 27 Nov. 2020
  • As if on cue, 2022 has reached into its bag and delivered a jolly old elf who slays.
    — Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 3 Dec. 2022
  • Their commander, a jolly man with a thick orange beard, nodded in the direction of the city, a few miles down the road.
    — Joshua Yaffa, The New Yorker, 31 July 2023
  • The rapper picks up the jolly old elf’s cap and realizes he’s holding a contract to fill his job.
    — al, 9 Nov. 2020
  • Santa isn’t always a jolly old man in a red velvet suit.
    — Dahleen Glanton, chicagotribune.com, 23 Dec. 2020
  • Take a look at these Santa sightings, and be on your best behavior in case the jolly old elf shows up in your town.
    — Christina Barron, Washington Post, 13 Dec. 2022
  • This jolly song by Burl Ives is the leading track on his Christmas album for a reason.
    — Kelly O'Sullivan, Country Living, 7 Nov. 2022
  • In This Article 'Tis the season to be jolly—not to be folly when celebrating the holidays.
    — Karla Walsh, Southern Living, 5 Dec. 2023
  • But competitors copied the idea, so the department store came up with its own story and character: Uncle Mistletoe, a jolly figure sporting a top hat and red coat, who reminded kids to be kind at Christmas.
    — Vince Guerrieri, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Dec. 2023
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jolly

3 of 3 noun
  • The drinks - from fine rose to Pimm's - flow freely and are served by attentive male waiters, most akin to models in their looks, while a band jollies along in the background.
    — Matt Majendie, CNN, 26 June 2019
  • The Christmas jollies may quickly fade when drivers head home, as traffic jams are expected to be the worst the day after Christmas.
    — Mola Lenghi, CBS News, 20 Dec. 2019
  • But the home secretary’s outing, on August 10th, was hardly a jolly.
    — The Economist, 15 Aug. 2020
  • The rich customers came off as ruthless one-percenters, getting their jollies by shooting cowboys and raping women.
    — Kristi Turnquist, OregonLive.com, 20 Apr. 2018
  • Audiences began to take notice of this less-than-jolly movie that flooded the airways at Christmas time, and thus a holiday tradition was born.
    — Rachael Scott, CNN, 25 Dec. 2021
  • The Hamptons can finally get its jollies out after years of burning, suppressed desire, a tension that could press coal into diamond in a second flat.
    — Richard Lawson, Vanities, 5 July 2017
  • People who get their jollies by crushing helpless animals underfoot would be a perfect place to begin.
    — Ted Diadiun, cleveland, 6 Dec. 2019
  • More troublesome are the timefall phenomena that accompany the BTs, and the human enemies who get their jollies from stealing and hoarding cargo.
    — Evan Lewis, EW.com, 1 Nov. 2019
  • And as ever with Gorillaz, Albarn got his jollies by leading the way through bouncy, easily accessible and playfully experimental pop songs that whimsically combine mostly American music forms, with the help of lots of guests.
    — Dan Deluca, Philly.com, 14 July 2017
  • The drinks - from fine rose to Pimm's - flow freely and are served by attentive male waiters, most akin to models in their looks, while a band jollies along in the background.
    — Matt Majendie, CNN, 26 June 2019
  • The Christmas jollies may quickly fade when drivers head home, as traffic jams are expected to be the worst the day after Christmas.
    — Mola Lenghi, CBS News, 20 Dec. 2019
  • But the home secretary’s outing, on August 10th, was hardly a jolly.
    — The Economist, 15 Aug. 2020
  • The rich customers came off as ruthless one-percenters, getting their jollies by shooting cowboys and raping women.
    — Kristi Turnquist, OregonLive.com, 20 Apr. 2018
  • Audiences began to take notice of this less-than-jolly movie that flooded the airways at Christmas time, and thus a holiday tradition was born.
    — Rachael Scott, CNN, 25 Dec. 2021
  • The Hamptons can finally get its jollies out after years of burning, suppressed desire, a tension that could press coal into diamond in a second flat.
    — Richard Lawson, Vanities, 5 July 2017
  • People who get their jollies by crushing helpless animals underfoot would be a perfect place to begin.
    — Ted Diadiun, cleveland, 6 Dec. 2019
  • More troublesome are the timefall phenomena that accompany the BTs, and the human enemies who get their jollies from stealing and hoarding cargo.
    — Evan Lewis, EW.com, 1 Nov. 2019
  • And as ever with Gorillaz, Albarn got his jollies by leading the way through bouncy, easily accessible and playfully experimental pop songs that whimsically combine mostly American music forms, with the help of lots of guests.
    — Dan Deluca, Philly.com, 14 July 2017
  • The drinks - from fine rose to Pimm's - flow freely and are served by attentive male waiters, most akin to models in their looks, while a band jollies along in the background.
    — Matt Majendie, CNN, 26 June 2019
  • The Christmas jollies may quickly fade when drivers head home, as traffic jams are expected to be the worst the day after Christmas.
    — Mola Lenghi, CBS News, 20 Dec. 2019
  • But the home secretary’s outing, on August 10th, was hardly a jolly.
    — The Economist, 15 Aug. 2020
  • The rich customers came off as ruthless one-percenters, getting their jollies by shooting cowboys and raping women.
    — Kristi Turnquist, OregonLive.com, 20 Apr. 2018
  • Audiences began to take notice of this less-than-jolly movie that flooded the airways at Christmas time, and thus a holiday tradition was born.
    — Rachael Scott, CNN, 25 Dec. 2021
  • The Hamptons can finally get its jollies out after years of burning, suppressed desire, a tension that could press coal into diamond in a second flat.
    — Richard Lawson, Vanities, 5 July 2017
  • People who get their jollies by crushing helpless animals underfoot would be a perfect place to begin.
    — Ted Diadiun, cleveland, 6 Dec. 2019
  • More troublesome are the timefall phenomena that accompany the BTs, and the human enemies who get their jollies from stealing and hoarding cargo.
    — Evan Lewis, EW.com, 1 Nov. 2019
  • And as ever with Gorillaz, Albarn got his jollies by leading the way through bouncy, easily accessible and playfully experimental pop songs that whimsically combine mostly American music forms, with the help of lots of guests.
    — Dan Deluca, Philly.com, 14 July 2017
  • The drinks - from fine rose to Pimm's - flow freely and are served by attentive male waiters, most akin to models in their looks, while a band jollies along in the background.
    — Matt Majendie, CNN, 26 June 2019
  • The Christmas jollies may quickly fade when drivers head home, as traffic jams are expected to be the worst the day after Christmas.
    — Mola Lenghi, CBS News, 20 Dec. 2019
  • But the home secretary’s outing, on August 10th, was hardly a jolly.
    — The Economist, 15 Aug. 2020

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'jolly.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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