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jocund

adjective
jo·​cund | \ ˈjä-kənd also ˈjō-(ˌ)kənd How to pronounce jocund (audio) \

Definition of jocund

: marked by or suggestive of high spirits and lively mirthfulness a poet could not but be gay, in such a jocund company— William Wordsworth
Other Words from jocund Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym The Tricky Etymology of Jocund More Example Sentences Learn More about jocund

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Other Words from jocund

jocundity \ jō-​ˈkən-​də-​tē How to pronounce jocundity (audio) , jä-​ \ noun
jocundly \ ˈjä-​kənd-​lē How to pronounce jocundly (audio) , ˈjō-​(ˌ)kənd-​ \ adverb

Choose the Right Synonym for jocund

merry, blithe, jocund, jovial, jolly mean showing high spirits or lightheartedness. merry suggests cheerful, joyous, uninhibited enjoyment of frolic or festivity. a merry group of revelers blithe suggests carefree, innocent, or even heedless gaiety. arrived late in his usual blithe way jocund stresses elation and exhilaration of spirits. singing, dancing, and jocund feasting jovial suggests the stimulation of conviviality and good fellowship. dinner put them in a jovial mood jolly suggests high spirits expressed in laughing, bantering, and jesting. our jolly host enlivened the party

The Tricky Etymology of Jocund

Don't let the etymology of jocund play tricks on you. The word comes from jucundus, a Latin word meaning "agreeable" or "delightful," and ultimately from the Latin verb juvare, meaning "to help." But jucundus looks and sounds a bit like jocus, the Latin word for "joke." These two roots took a lively romp through many centuries together and along the way the lighthearted jocus influenced the spelling and meaning of jucundus, an interaction that eventually produced our Modern English word jocund in the 14th century.

Examples of jocund in a Sentence

old friends engaged in jocund teasing

Recent Examples on the Web

 There’s a feeling of joy that comes with walking into Jovanina’s Broken Italian, a jocund eight-month-old eatery that’s part of LoDo’s recent restaurant renaissance. — Daliah Singer, The Know, "Restaurant review: The food satisfies, but Jovanina’s good looks are what really entice diners," 6 Aug. 2019

First Known Use of jocund

14th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for jocund

Middle English, from Late Latin jocundus, alteration of Latin jucundus, from juvare to help

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WORD OF THE DAY

rambunctious

play

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