jolly face

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "jolly face" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who has a cheerful or happy expression. Example: "When she entered the room with her jolly face, everyone couldn't help but smile back at her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Mr. Castle had a red, jolly face and a store of mossy jokes.

The New Yorker

Those who met him found a man with a neat triangular moustache and a round, jolly face.

The Guardian

In the first line of his Ode to the Haggis, Burns acclaims its "honest, sonsie (jolly) face".

The Guardian - Opinion

FRANK WILLIAMSON is a big man with a constantly jolly face, and he looks marvelous in his suspenders and his jaunty black-and-white-striped engineer's cap.

The New York Times

It's easy enough to laugh at him, but like Nazneen herself we also learn to appreciate his kindness -- and realize too, from the "unhappy" eyes in his "round, jolly face," that he already knows he has failed.

The New York Times - Books

Martin Sajdik, from Austria, a husky man with white hair and a jolly face, abandoned any sartorial preciousness, pulling his white shirt snugly over his suit jacket and pairing it with broken-in white tennis shoes and white athletic socks that peeped out from beneath his rolled-up pant legs.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

It's the antidote, or the antithesis may be better, to the jolly faces that are promenading on social media".

The New Yorker

Everywhere the men about to go into the furnace are shown pressing on with jolly faces, eating by the wayside, sleeping, fixing bayonets, taking their usual interest in life, and not at all troubled about what is to come.

The Guardian

Unthreatening jolly faces from pre-watershed telly who just happen to have popular bottoms.

Vice

His huge, jolly, beefy face looms above them.

The New York Times - Arts

She wore some covering of corduroy or velvet and her crinkly hair was brushed back and twisted up high behind her jolly, intelligent face...

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "jolly face" to depict a character's positive and cheerful disposition, especially in narrative writing, to quickly convey their friendly nature. This phrase is particularly effective when contrasting their external appearance with potentially complex inner emotions, as seen in the example: "It's easy enough to laugh at him, but like Nazneen herself we also learn to appreciate his kindness -- and realize too, from the 'unhappy' eyes in his 'round, jolly face,' that he already knows he has failed."

Common error

Avoid using "jolly face" in formal or professional writing where a more neutral or sophisticated tone is required. Alternatives like "pleasant countenance" or "cheerful expression" may be more appropriate in such settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "jolly face" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase modifying the noun "face". It's used to attribute a quality of cheerfulness or happiness to someone's facial appearance, providing a quick and vivid characterization. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "jolly face" is a grammatically sound and readily understandable expression used to describe a cheerful or happy countenance. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Although not extremely common, its presence in news and media sources suggests its appropriateness for general descriptive purposes. For writers seeking variety, alternatives like "cheerful countenance" or "happy expression" offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances. When aiming for formal tone, more formal alternatives are more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cheerful countenance

Replaces "face" with "countenance", offering a more formal and slightly old-fashioned tone, while "cheerful" directly conveys the positive emotion.

happy expression

Uses a more general term, "expression", instead of "face", focusing on the overall outward display of happiness.

merry visage

Similar to "cheerful countenance", "merry visage" offers a more literary and somewhat archaic alternative.

smiling face

Focuses specifically on the physical act of smiling as the key indicator of happiness, rather than a general sense of jollity.

radiant face

Suggests an inner happiness that shines through the person's face, implying a more intense and vibrant emotion.

bright face

Implies a face that is lit up with happiness or enthusiasm, suggesting energy and positivity.

gleeful face

Indicates a feeling of joy and excitement, perhaps more intense than simple jollity.

pleasant face

Implies a generally agreeable and likeable appearance, without necessarily emphasizing intense happiness.

sunny disposition

Shifts the focus from the face itself to the person's overall temperament and character, suggesting a consistently cheerful outlook.

amiable expression

Highlights the friendly and approachable nature of the person's expression, emphasizing warmth and sociability.

FAQs

How can I describe someone's happy face?

Besides "jolly face", you could use "cheerful countenance", "happy expression", or "smiling face" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "jolly face" a formal or informal expression?

"Jolly face" leans towards informal usage. In more formal contexts, consider alternatives such as "pleasant countenance" or "amiable expression".

What does it mean when someone is described as having a "jolly face"?

It typically indicates that the person has a cheerful, happy, and friendly appearance. The term "jolly" implies a sense of merriment and good humor.

Are there any negative connotations associated with the phrase "jolly face"?

Generally, no. However, in certain contexts, a "jolly face" might be perceived as out of place or even insensitive if the situation calls for seriousness or somberness.