What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
jolly
Example
The children were jolly and excited to see Santa Claus. [jolly: adjective]
Example
He jollied his friends up with his jokes and funny stories. [jollied: verb]
lively
Example
The party was lively with music and dancing. [lively: adjective]
Example
She danced lively to the beat of the drums. [lively: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Lively is more commonly used than jolly in everyday language, especially in American English. Lively is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while jolly is less common and has a more old-fashioned feel.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between jolly and lively?
Both jolly and lively are informal words that are suitable for casual conversations and informal writing. However, jolly may sound more old-fashioned and less appropriate for formal situations.
