joviality

[ joh-vee-al-i-tee ]

noun

1. the state or quality of being jovial; merriment; jollity.

Word History and Origins

Origin of joviality¹

First recorded in 1620–30; jovial + -ity; compare French jovialité

Synonym Study

See mirth.

Example Sentences

During an April appearance on the “Drew Barrymore Show,” Harris said the following in response to attacks on her displays of joviality: “I have my mother’s laugh. I grew up around a bunch of women who laughed from the gut. They would sit around the kitchen, telling big stories with big laughs. I think it is important to remind each other, and our younger ones, don’t be confined to other people’s perception about how you should act…”

From Salon

Even as Mr. Glynn-Carney, Matt Smith and other “Dragon” actors laid out the violence in store for the new season — which returns June 16 — the show’s impending civil war stood in stark contrast to the evening’s cocktails and joviality, with not a single silvery wig in sight.

From New York Times

“And there was kind of a pall from the joviality and it quieted down… In a sense, I hope that the players themselves took that to say, ‘You know, we do have to do something.’”

From Los Angeles Times

A classmate at the time said she had turned the school "in completely the opposite direction" during the election, using her "personality, joviality and optimism".

From BBC

The bright, colorful animations — arguments and fights are in surreal landscapes — add a sense of joviality to the proceedings.

From Los Angeles Times