jocund

adjective

ˈjä-kənd How to pronounce jocund (audio)
Definition of jocundnext
as in merry
indicative of or marked by high spirits or good humor old friends engaged in jocund teasing

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective jocund differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of jocund are blithe, jolly, jovial, and merry. While all these words mean "showing high spirits or lightheartedness," jocund stresses elation and exhilaration of spirits.

singing, dancing, and jocund feasting

When would blithe be a good substitute for jocund?

While in some cases nearly identical to jocund, blithe suggests carefree, innocent, or even heedless gaiety.

arrived late in his usual blithe way

When might jolly be a better fit than jocund?

In some situations, the words jolly and jocund are roughly equivalent. However, jolly suggests high spirits expressed in laughing, bantering, and jesting.

our jolly host enlivened the party

In what contexts can jovial take the place of jocund?

The words jovial and jocund are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, jovial suggests the stimulation of conviviality and good fellowship.

dinner put them in a jovial mood

When can merry be used instead of jocund?

The meanings of merry and jocund largely overlap; however, merry suggests cheerful, joyous, uninhibited enjoyment of frolic or festivity.

a merry group of revelers

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of jocund Political Mooovment forces an examination of how consuming dairy and meat harms our planet and potentially our bodies, underscored by a jocund tone. —Natasha Gural, Forbes, 29 May 2021 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, 6 Aug. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jocund
  1. merry
  2. jolly
  3. festive
Adjective
  • However, the night really belonged to 15-year-old Brit Cooper and his merry band of Adolescence superstars.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 19 Sep. 2025
  • And, of course, the more pumpkins, the merrier!
    — Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Sep. 2025
Definition of merry
Adjective
  • Lily Mathé, one of the orchestra’s best violinists, vividly remembered being made to play jolly tunes in the SS officers’ mess at Auschwitz every evening while the guards ate their dinner.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Instead of its usual jolly cartoons, the channel began broadcasting footage of Russian military parades accompanied by music of the Russian nationalist singer Oleg Gazmanov.
    — Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of jolly
Adjective
  • With less than 100 days to go until Christmas, Miracle and Sippin' Santa announced their festive return to Louisville.
    — Amanda Hancock, Louisville Courier Journal, 19 Sep. 2025
  • The backdrop this year is a festive workshop and the set encourages building and creative play.
    — Alexander Cox, Space.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Definition of festive

Browse Nearby Words

jocularly
jocund
jocundity
See all Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Jocund.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jocund. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.

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