jovial
Americanadjective
Synonym Usage
Jovial, jocose, jocular, jocund agree in referring to someone who is in a good humor. Jovial suggests a hearty, joyous humor: a jovial person. Jocose refers to that which causes laughter; it suggests someone who is playful and given to jesting: with jocose and comical airs. Jocular means humorous, facetious, mirthful, and waggish: jocular enough to keep up the spirits of all around him. Jocund, now a literary word, suggests a cheerful, light-hearted, and sprightly gaiety: glad and jocund company.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of jovial
First recorded in 1580–90; from Medieval Latin joviālis “of Jupiter” (the planet, supposed to exert a happy influence), equivalent to Latin jovi- ( see Jovian) + -ālis -al 1
Explanation
Use jovial to describe people who show good humor and are full of joy. Santa Claus, with his constant "ho-ho-hoing" is a jovial figure. Jocose and jocular are similar words, but they refer more to things that actually cause laughter. Jovial is derived from the Late Latin Iovialis, "relating to Jupiter" — the ancient Roman god of the sky. In astrology, people born under the sign of Jupiter are said to be joyful.
Vocabulary lists containing jovial
The SAT: Words to Capture Tone, List 2
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Words to Capture Your Joy
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The New SAT: Words to Capture Tone
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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.
Everyone seemed jovial, leaving me to glare at my reflection in the dark train window, between stations, wondering what exactly my deal was.
From Salon • Jun. 18, 2026
As mentioned, Mr. Eberhardt is so captivating as the jovial, word-drunk Mercutio that he draws our attention whenever he’s onstage.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 12, 2026
Lakers center Deandre Ayton bounced across the court after practice Monday wearing all black, his chains swaying, his mood jovial as he approached the media to talk about his role in the Western Conference semifinals.
From Los Angeles Times • May 4, 2026
Trump, taking a jovial tone, has even joked about his Scottish-born mother having a crush on Charles.
From Barron's • Apr. 29, 2026
Dale returned to his seat while the men backslapped each other and said jovial things back and forth.
From "It All Comes Down to This" by Karen English
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.
