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jovial

adjective
jo·​vial | \ ˈjō-vē-əl How to pronounce jovial (audio) , -vyəl\

Definition of jovial

1 : markedly good-humored especially as evidenced by cheerfulness and conviviality : jolly a jovial host a jovial welcome
2 capitalized : of or relating to Jove
Other Words from jovial Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Jovial and Birth Dates More Example Sentences Learn More about jovial

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Other Words from jovial

joviality \ ˌjō-​vē-​ˈa-​lə-​tē How to pronounce joviality (audio) \ noun
jovially \ ˈjō-​vē-​ə-​lē How to pronounce jovially (audio) , -​vyə-​ \ adverb

Choose the Right Synonym for jovial

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

Jovial and Birth Dates

Jupiter, also called Jove, was the chief Roman god and was considered a majestic, authoritative type—just the kind of god to name a massive planet like Jupiter for. Our word jovial comes by way of Middle French from the Late Latin adjective jovialis, meaning "of or relating to Jove." When English speakers first picked up jovial in the late 16th century, it was a term of astrology used to describe those born under the influence of Jupiter, which, as a natal planet, was believed to impart joy and happiness. They soon began applying jovial to folks who shared the good-natured character of Jupiter, regardless of their birth date.

Examples of jovial in a Sentence

In response, an infuriating wink: Alsana always likes to appear jovial at the very moment that her interlocutor becomes hot under the collar. — Zadie Smith, White Teeth, 2001 I felt I was slumming, in my own life. My task was to ward off the drivel … the jovial claptrap of classmates and teachers, the maddening bromides I heard at home. — Susan Sontag, New Yorker, 21 Dec. 1987
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Recent Examples on the Web

 His jovial nature, ease with the masses and opposition to strongman Alberto Fujimori helped him clinch the presidency in 2001. — Washington Post, "Lawyer calls ex-Peruvian president’s US detention ‘inhumane’," 23 Aug. 2019 Mister Mort aka Mordechai Rubenstein, everyone’s favorite jovial mensch and street style photographer, wore a monogrammed white polo shirt and a pair of rainbow tinged seersucker pants. — Vogue, "Thom Browne and FarFetch Host a Fantastical Seersucker Picnic at NeueHouse," 23 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'jovial.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of jovial

1592, in the meaning defined at sense 2

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More Definitions for jovial

jovial

adjective
How to pronounce jovial (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of jovial

: full of happiness and joy

See the full definition for jovial in the English Language Learners Dictionary

jovial

adjective
jo·​vial | \ ˈjō-vē-əl How to pronounce jovial (audio) \

Kids Definition of jovial

: jolly entry 1

Other Words from jovial

jovially adverb

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