jovial

[ joh-vee-uhl ]

/ ˈdʒoʊ vi əl /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR jovial ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

endowed with or characterized by a hearty, joyous humor or a spirit of good-fellowship: a wonderfully jovial host.

(initial capital letter) of or relating to the god Jove, or Jupiter.

Nearby words

journo, joust, jouve, jouy print, jove, jovial, joviality, jovially, jovian, jovian planet, jovian planets

Origin of jovial

1580–90; < Medieval Latin joviālis of Jupiter (the planet, supposed to exert a happy influence), equivalent to Latin jovi- (see Jovian) + -ālis -al¹

SYNONYMS FOR jovial

1 merry, jolly, convivial, gay, joyful, mirthful. 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.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR jovial ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR jovial

1 gloomy.

SEE MORE ANTONYMS FOR jovial ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

jo·vi·al·ly, adverbjo·vi·al·ness, nounun·jo·vi·al, adjectiveun·jo·vi·al·ly, adverb

Can be confused

jocose jocular jocund jovial (see synonym study at the current entry)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for jovial

Even though we were running late, Scott was jovial and candid in his conversation.
Remembering ESPN’s Sly, Cocky, and Cool Anchor Stuart Scott|Stereo Williams|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
With that, he took a huff off a morning joint and moved into the throng of jovial patrons.
A Report From the Misunderstood Gathering of the Juggalos|Steve Miller|July 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Of course, it shouldn't be surprising, as Fallon and Timberlake may be the two most jovial, joyous people in show business.
Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake’s Perfect, Cameo-Filled 'Saturday Night Live'|Kevin Fallon|December 22, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Dermot Mulroney and Steve Buscemi were like jovial drinking buddies as they talked in one of the hallways.
My Night at the Golden Globe Awards|Ramin Setoodeh|January 14, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Plus, Eleanor Clift on Cain's jovial sexual-harassment denial.
Cain's Palestine Blunder|Dan Ephron|November 1, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Arthur Bertrand was one of the most jovial fellows of his time.
An Englishman in Paris|Albert D. (Albert Dresden) Vandam
Henry Mayfield was not the jovial, merry fellow that Charley was, and not likely to be so generally a favorite.
Edna's Sacrifice and Other Stories|Frances Henshaw Baden
And this feeling was strengthened by Mr. Casey's jovial and inspiring speech.
Comrade Yetta|Albert Edwards
At supper he was silent and ill-at-ease, but the missionary was jovial and animated.
The Trembling of a Leaf|William Somerset Maugham
At one time he asked in a jovial way: 'Garrett, have you got a fire out there?'
A Texas Cow Boy|Chas. A. Siringo

British Dictionary definitions for jovial

jovial

/ (ˈdʒəʊvɪəl) /

adjective

having or expressing convivial humour; jolly

Derived Forms

joviality or jovialness, nounjovially, adverb

Word Origin for jovial

C16: from Latin joviālis of (the planet) Jupiter, considered by astrologers to foster good humour

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

jovial

adjective

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of jovial

SYNONYMS FOR jovial

ANTONYMS FOR jovial

Related forms

Can be confused

Examples from the Web for jovial

British Dictionary definitions for jovial

jovial

adjective

Derived Forms

Word Origin for jovial