jol·ly¹ / ˈjälē/ • adj. (-li·er , -li·est ) happy and cheerful: he was a jolly man full of jokes. ∎ inf. or dated lively and entertaining: we had a very jolly time.• v. (-lies, -lied) [tr.] inf. encourage (someone) in a friendly way: he jollied people along they were trying to jolly her out of her torpor. ∎  (jolly someone/something up) make someone or something more lively or cheerful: ideas to jolly up a winter's party.• adv. Brit., inf. very; extremely: that's a jolly good idea.PHRASES: get one's jollies inf. have fun or find pleasure.jolly well Brit., inf. used for emphasis, esp. when one is angry or irritated: I'm going to keep on eating as much sugar as I jolly well like.DERIVATIVES: jol·li·ly / ˈjäləlē/ adv.jol·li·ness n.jol·ly² (also jol·ly boat) • n. (pl. -lies) a lapstraked ship's boat that is smaller than a cutter, typically hoisted at the stern of the ship.

jolly (arch.) of gay disposition, festive, jovial; †gallant, brave; †confident; †amorous XIV; splendid, fine; delightful XVI. ME. jolif—OF. jolif, (later and mod.) joli †gay, †pleasant, pretty, perh. f. ON. jól midwinter festival, feast, YULE.