jovial
Americanadjective
Related Words
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
- joviality noun
- jovially adverb
- jovialness noun
- unjovial adjective
- unjovially adverb
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- ( Jovian ) + -ālis -al 1
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.
The jovial royal believes he can persuade Jerry to change course.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2026
The large-scale audience participation of “Twenty-Sided Tavern” naturally invites a jovial, party-like atmosphere.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 10, 2025
Considering the somber subject, Mr. Gallot’s jovial tone may surprise.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 31, 2025
Since arriving in New York last weekend, Raducanu has cut a jovial figure - particularly during her outing alongside Carlos Alcaraz in the revamped mixed doubles event.
From BBC • Aug. 24, 2025
“Sure it’s all a misunderstanding,” says the red-haired cop, almost jovial.
From "Black Brother, Black Brother" by Jewell Parker Rhodes
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.
