How to Use jolly in a Sentence

jolly

1 of 2 adjective
  • She had a jolly time at the party.
  • Our boss was a very jolly man, always laughing.
  • The jolly grifter gets away with it.
    — Literary Hub, 23 Jan. 2026
  • Of course, even for me there were still some jolly moments.
    — Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
  • There will be games, food, contests, and jolly times for all.
    — Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Ah, the jolly dance of progress, one step forward, one to the side, and three steps back!
    — Joseph Epstein, National Review, 17 Sep. 2020
  • Orr sings, and a creepy, jolly synth invites us to wonder why.
    — Sarah Larson, The New Yorker, 16 Sep. 2019
  • Sounds like a jolly shopping trip is in order!
    — Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 8 Dec. 2025
  • The two took the royal train to Cheshire and seemed to have a jolly good time.
    — Abby Gardner, Glamour, 19 Mar. 2019
  • The event will include treats for kids and a chance to meet the jolly old elf himself.
    — Trevor Fraser, orlandosentinel.com, 16 Nov. 2019
  • There were times when our conversations were the jolliest ones of my day.
    — Tom Carson, Los Angeles Magazine, 19 Feb. 2018
  • No holly, jolly guy in a red suit throwing around candy canes and ho, ho, hos.
    — Allyson Reedy, The Know, 3 Dec. 2019
  • There were eight red paper plates with jolly Rudolph patterns.
    — Mick Herron, WSJ, 22 Dec. 2017
  • Harder than imagining a jolly fat man flying a sleigh around the world in one night?
    — Susan Svrluga, Anchorage Daily News, 24 Dec. 2017
  • Wash that down with a cup of hot chocolate, and everyone will be holly jolly.
    — Paul Stephen, ExpressNews.com, 18 Dec. 2019
  • And what is a world without a jolly Santa Claus?
    — Lauren Ashley Bishop, Variety, 15 Jan. 2026
  • To add to the jolly scene, Moss crafted red plaid slipcovers out of sheets.
    — Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 26 Nov. 2025
  • Fishing boats sat docked along the pier, bouncing on top of the water like a row of jolly babies.
    — Literary Hub, 14 May 2026
  • Lawrence then laughed her comment off and the interview went on its jolly way, but the whole thing left me with a chill.
    — Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 27 Feb. 2018
  • And their gifts weren’t delivered by a jolly elf in a sleigh, but by emails to their band directors.
    — Amanda Rogers, star-telegram.com, 26 Apr. 2017
  • The film genre is also a favorite during the jolly season.
    — Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 20 Dec. 2025
  • But if pressing your own fresh coconut doesn’t sound like a holly jolly good time, don’t feel deterred.
    — Nina Hemphill Reeder, Essence, 25 Dec. 2019
  • Santa is just a jolly old fellow who wants to see everyone happy and deeply in the throes of love.
    — Lourdes Avila Uribe, Glamour, 24 Dec. 2018
  • The consumer safety group has safety warnings for the holly jolly time of the year too.
    — Sara Smart and Justin Lear, CNN, 16 Nov. 2021
  • The jolly drive of that theme contrasts the bleak environment.
    — Michael Phillips, chicagotribune.com, 26 Mar. 2018
  • And new this year will be a special appearance by jolly old Saint Nick.
    — Faye Reeder, star-telegram, 28 Oct. 2017
  • Dinner preparation waits until the jolly man in red waves atop his parade sleigh.
    — Pat Lenhoff, chicagotribune.com, 30 Oct. 2019
  • Those merry eyes, the warmth, the ability to get the help cracking in a jolly way and then not so jolly.
    — Peggy Noonan, WSJ, 19 Apr. 2018
  • If this jolly margarita of the month is on your wishlist, jingle all the way to Chili’s.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 4 Dec. 2025
  • White pretended to be a jolly drunk who wouldn’t listen to my instructions.
    — oregonlive.com, 20 June 2019

jolly

2 of 2 adverb
  • She learned to be jolly careful in his presence.
  • But is the jolly old guy, uh, hot?
    — Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
  • Even when corny, the whole album is jolly fun.
    — Jed Gottlieb, Boston Herald, 21 Dec. 2025
  • Having to stay away from nursing homes makes that big, jolly heart of his hurt.
    — Maggie Menderski, The Courier-Journal, 6 Apr. 2021
  • The new version of the tune features the same groovy feel, but with a jolly twist.
    — Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 11 Dec. 2020
  • Kids are required to wear masks and keep a social distance from the jolly old elf.
    — John Benson, cleveland, 2 Dec. 2020
  • From that point forward, these two are locked in savage, jolly combat.
    — Sam Anderson, New York Times, 5 Nov. 2020
  • Tis the season to be jolly, joyous, and on your mother-in-law’s good side.
    — Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 23 Nov. 2021
  • Then again, maybe your holiday gifts weren't so holly and jolly.
    — Wired Staff, Wired, 27 Dec. 2019
  • The best part is — whether jolly or Grinchian — there's a film for every vibe.
    — Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 11 Dec. 2025
  • Their Christmas song pick was cheerful and jolly.
    — Sean Gentille, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Is there a limit to how jolly and bright your home can be this holiday season?
    — Gina Lee Castro, jsonline.com, 12 Dec. 2025
  • Strap on some blades and, depending on your skill level, chop or glide across the ice for a jolly good time.
    — Brittany Anas, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2021
  • No, not the jolly old man toiling away at the North Pole, but a town of the same name.
    — Jay Jones, chicagotribune.com, 25 Nov. 2020
  • From casseroles to sweet treats, here are 10 recipes perfect for your holly-jolly brunch.
    — Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 23 Nov. 2025
  • The jolly old man greeted the children and took notes on their holiday wish list.
    — Adam Thompson, CBS News, 10 Dec. 2025
  • Find out in our list, guaranteed to make your holiday jolly and bright.
    — Keith Langston, EW.com, 8 Dec. 2022
  • The ride was a pleasant one, the bus plump and jolly like a bus in a cartoon, with open windows and leather seats.
    — New York Times, 14 Apr. 2020
  • Here's our big holiday roundup of how to get your jolly on with Christmas in the air.
    — Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 19 Nov. 2022
  • But traders were cautious about jumping on a jolly bandwagon too soon.
    — Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 19 May 2026
  • With the fire crackling, kids made s’mores and the jolly elf himself made an appearance.
    — Steve Smith, Hartford Courant, 27 Dec. 2022
  • Ahead, 19 holly jolly locales across the states to head for this season.
    — Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 14 Dec. 2025
  • Here’s how to spend a holly-jolly getaway in PRD.
    — Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Thankfully for the Lightstones, this new version of the jolly old elf knows his way around a war zone.
    — Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 3 Dec. 2022
  • That’s not always jolly for pet lovers, who may find their spruces, firs or artificial trees come crashing to the ground.
    — Mary Colurso | [email protected], al, 21 Dec. 2021
  • As if on cue, 2022 has reached into its bag and delivered a jolly old elf who slays.
    — Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 3 Dec. 2022
  • So, saddle up the reindeer and hit the road for a holly jolly Hill Country time.
    — Katie Friel, Chron, 22 Nov. 2021
  • Any one of these whimsical ideas will make the Christmas season more jolly and joyful.
    — Caylin Harris, Parents, 21 Dec. 2025
  • The menu at Sippin' Santa is a little shorter but no less jolly.
    — Tirion Morris, The Arizona Republic, 14 Aug. 2021
  • The stop-motion digital series about a jolly, mumbling, pint-size cook serves up a big slice of serotonin.
    — Sonal Dutt, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'jolly.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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