jocund
Americanadjective
adjective
Synonym Usage
See jovial.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of jocund
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English jocound, from Late Latin jocundus, alteration of Latin jūcundus “pleasant,” equivalent to ju(vāre) “to help, benefit, please, delight” + -cundus adjective suffix
Explanation
You know that teacher who always has a goofy smile on his face and a bad pun for the kids? He's got a jocund personality, meaning he's merry and cheerful. The word jocund came from the influence of two Latin words, jocundus, which means pleasant, and jocus, which is just what it sounds like: a joke. Usually the word is used to describe people, but not always. Say your family gets together every year for a big, merry barbecue — you could describe it as a jocund gathering, or a jocund weekend. It's a sort of old-fashioned word, though, so use it sparingly.
Vocabulary lists containing jocund
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
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The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark
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Romeo and Juliet
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Jocund songs The bard sang next: how Thor had roamed disguised Through J�tunheim, and found the giant-brood Feasting; and how their king gave challenge thus: 'Sir, since you deign us visit, show us feats!
From Legends of the Saxon Saints by De Vere, Aubrey
I begged to inform her that from time immemorial king's jesters had been of the Jocund family—an office to the full as dignified as the office of public barber.
From The Vicissitudes of Bessie Fairfax by Lee, Holme, [pseud.]
Miss Jocund is really cleverer than could have been supposed, miss.
From The Vicissitudes of Bessie Fairfax by Lee, Holme, [pseud.]
Jocund was the balmy air with laughter, whistle, and song.
From Recreations of Christopher North, Volume 2 by Wilson, John
But the waning day Calls us to supper, after which succeeds102 Jocund variety, the song, the harp, With all that heightens and adorns the feast.
From The Odyssey of Homer by Cowper, William
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
