1500-1600French, Late Latinjovialis ‘of the god Jove or Jupiter’; because people born under the influence of the planet Jupiter were thought likely to be happy
Examples
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
jovial laughter
friendly and happy: He addressed me in a jovial manner.—jovially adverb—joviality /ˌdʒəʊviˈæləti $ ˌdʒoʊ-/ noun [uncountable]