What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
jolly
Example
She had a jolly personality that made everyone around her feel happy. [jolly: adjective]
Example
The party was a jolly affair with lots of laughter and dancing. [jolly: noun]
jovial
Example
He was always in a jovial mood and loved to make new friends. [jovial: adjective]
Example
The restaurant had a jovial ambiance that made us feel comfortable and relaxed. [jovial: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Jolly is more commonly used than jovial in everyday language, especially in British English. Jolly is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while jovial is less common and has a more specific meaning.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between jolly and jovial?
While both jolly and jovial are often used in informal contexts, jovial has a more formal connotation due to its sophisticated tone and Latin origin.
