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Synonyms

rollicking

American  
[rol-i-king] / ˈrɒl ɪ kɪŋ /

adjective

  1. carefree and joyous.

    They had a rollicking good time.

    Synonyms:
    exuberant, gay, merry, hearty, jolly
  2. swaggering; boisterous.


rollicking 1 British  
/ ˈrɒlɪkɪŋ /

adjective

  1. boisterously carefree and swaggering

"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

rollicking 2 British  
/ ˈrɒlɪkɪŋ /

noun

  1. informal a very severe telling-off; dressing-down

"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

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Etymology

Origin of rollicking

First recorded in 1805–15; rollick + -ing 2

Explanation

Something that's rollicking is really fun and playful. When you throw a party, you hope your friends will describe it as rollicking. Parties with live music and great food are usually rollicking, and a wonderful game of charades with your family can also be rollicking. You might even describe a funny movie or a song you can dance to this way. The root of rollicking is a nineteenth century verb that we don't use much these days, rollick, "to behave exuberantly." It, in turn, is most likely a combination of frolic and roll.

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Vocabulary lists containing rollicking

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 two elements meshed during the filming of the series finale of Fox’s rollicking family comedy in 2006.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

It’s a rollicking, intense adventure about music and the way it bonds us through history.

From Salon • Jan. 11, 2026

To Brook's credit, he did that well in the first innings of the third Test by easing, rather than rollicking, to 45.

From BBC • Dec. 20, 2025

Granted a theatrical second act, Juliet makes the rollicking most of it.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 9, 2025

It could very well have been, however, that my aunt did not take subtle enjoyment of her friend, but, a wild woman, kept rollicking company.

From "The Woman Warrior" by Maxine Hong Kingston

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