different between jollity vs cheerful

English

From Middle English jolyfte, from Old French joliveté (“gaity, cheerfulness; amorous passion; life of pleasure”), from jolif (see jolly).

jollity (countable and uncountable, plural jollities)

(uncountable) The state of being jolly; cheerfulness.
- 1841, Charles Dickens, The Old Curiosity Shop, ch. 18:
  The Jolly Sandboys was a small road-side inn of pretty ancient date, with a sign, representing three Sandboys increasing their jollity with as many jugs of ale and bags of gold.
(countable) Revelry or festivity; a merry or festive gathering.
- 2006, Rupert Cornwell, "You'd think it was the Thirties all over again," Independent (UK), 4 Sept. (retrieved 21 Sept. 2009):
  Across the US, candidates traditionally attend rallies, barbecues and similar jollities in their states and districts.
(countable) Things, remarks, or characteristics which are enjoyable.
- 1852, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Uncle Tom's Cabin, ch. 11:
  Add to this picture a jolly, crackling, rollicking fire, going rejoicingly up a great wide chimney,—the outer door and every window being set wide open, and the calico window-curtain flopping and snapping in a good stiff breeze of damp raw air,—and you have an idea of the jollities of a Kentucky tavern.

From Middle English chereful, cherful, equivalent to cheer +? -ful.

cheerful (comparative more cheerful, superlative most cheerful)

Noticeably happy and optimistic.
Synonyms: bright, bubbly, cheerly, ebullient, happy, joyful, merry, optimistic, vivacious; see also Thesaurus:happy
Antonyms: depressed, miserable, sad
Bright and pleasant.
- At half-past nine on this Saturday evening, the parlour of the Salutation Inn, High Holborn, contained most of its customary visitors. […] In former days every tavern of repute kept such a room for its own select circle, a club, or society, of habitués, who met every evening, for a pipe and a cheerful glass.

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