English word jolly comes from Proto-Germanic *jehwlą, and later Old Norse jól (Yule, midwinter season.)
| Dictionary entry | Language | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| *jehwlą | Proto-Germanic (gem-pro) | (plural) Yule (literally "the festivities"). Festivity, celebration. |
| jól | Old Norse (non) | Yule, midwinter season. |
| jolif | Old French (fro) | (early Old French) pretty; attractive. |
| jolif | Middle English (enm) | |
| jolly | English (en) | (British, dated) very, extremely (British, dated) A pleasure trip or excursion.. (slang, dated) A marine in the English navy. (transitive) To amuse or divert. Full of merriment and high spirits; jovial. |