Skip to main content
rollicking

rollicking

2 6.0
Lively and full of fun, making people laugh
  • adjective
  • /ˈrɑːlɪkɪŋ/
translation icon : animado
  • The children laughed and played in the park, enjoying a rollicking game of tag.

Examples

  • Join us next week when we spice up the airwaves with a rollicking discussion of bulgur.

  • But it was predominantly a rollicking piece of entertainment.

    Blog text (7)
  • You know, it has the drops, it has some of the turns, and it's just a rollicking fun ride.

  • A big, bouncy, rollicking family.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • The big picture: They put on a roaring, rollicking show for you fans, and it's not just all high-tech razzle-dazzle.

    Blog text (22)
  • Factor in the terrific characters and some very cogent takes on human nature, and you've got a rollicking thriller.

    Blog text (25)
  • In an era dominated by laissez-faire ideology, Roosevelt thought politicians could actually do something to make life better for the average citizen, and he had a rollicking good time trying.

    Academic text (2002)
  • They're full of lively charm, packed with energy, and despite their bite-sized, daily, four-panel structure, they tell huge and rollicking tales that span the country and even the world.

    Blog text (11)
  • Back in India, Manny had a similar reputation for giving rollicking parties with a touch of profundity, but Celie, the more serious of the two, had properly calibrated their evenings to a few sedate dinner parties with foreign couples.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • In "Bulldog Drummond and the Grim Reaper," Michael Coney has written a rollicking story of pulse-pounding terror, with some humor and hijinks thrown into the mix.

    Fiction book (1996)

Synonyms

lively
vsrollicking
111 1.3

Having a lot of energy and enthusiasm

is more playful and full of fun rather than only energetic
gay
vsrollicking
  • Archaic
64 9.8

Cheerful and lively without worry

is more modernly energetic and fun rather than a dated term
rousing
vsrollicking
24 4.0

Causes strong excitement and makes people want to act

is more lighthearted fun and cheer rather than stirring strong action
exuberant
vsrollicking
18 5.9

Very happy and full of energy

is more playful and fun focused rather than intense enthusiasm
boisterous
vsrollicking
18 4.7

Loud and energetic, like a happy crowd or party

is more cheerful and fun loving rather than mainly noisy behaviour
bouncy
vsrollicking
16 2.0

Full of energy and cheerful movement

is more carefree joyful behaviour rather than only springy motion
giddy
vsrollicking
  • Informal
12 4.4

Acting silly and playful without being serious

is more robustly joyful and full of fun rather than frivolous
go-go
vsrollicking
  • Archaic
11 6.6

Full of energy and fast activity

is more about cheerful, high spirited play than rapid pace
bustling
vsrollicking
9 4.1

Full of busy, noisy activity and many people

is more about people enjoying lively fun rather than busy activity
ebullient
vsrollicking
5 8.2

Very lively and full of energy

is more playful and fun oriented rather than purely enthusiastic
poppin
vsrollicking
  • Slang
5 9.9

Lively and exciting, like a busy party or club

is about active, playful people rather than event level excitement
jiggy
vsrollicking
  • Slang
4 9.0

Feeling lively and playful, ready to dance and have fun

is more broadly cheerful and high spirited, not just a dance mood
chirpy
vsrollicking
  • Informal
2 3.1

Feeling happy and full of energy

is more physically active and exuberant rather than just cheerful mood
chippy
vsrollicking
  • UK
1 7.7

Being lively and cheerful, often a little cheeky

is more openly high spirited and playful rather than cheeky attitude
frolicsome
vsrollicking
1 7.6

Full of playful, lively energy

is broader and more generally high spirited rather than just playful
coltish
vsrollicking
1 7.8

Being playful and lively like a young horse

is more friendly and cheerful rather than rough playfulness
skippy
vsrollicking
  • Informal
1 7.0

Acting or moving in a lively, bouncy way

is more general high spirited fun rather than just bouncing movement
sportive
vsrollicking
  • Literature
1 7.3

Playful and lively, someone enjoys small jokes and games

is more broadly high spirited and full of cheerful energy
frolicky
vsrollicking
8.2

Playful and lively in a happy, energetic way

is more exuberant and unrestrained rather than merely playful
larky
vsrollicking
  • UK
7.4

Playful and silly in a way that makes people laugh

is more openly high spirited and lively rather than merely joking
bubbling
vsrollicking
3.9

Showing lively, happy energy

is more outwardly high spirited and energetic rather than inner excitement
pippy
vsrollicking
  • Informal
8.1

Being full of energy and cheerful

is about actual high spirited behaviour rather than simply an informal label
roisterous
vsrollicking
  • Archaic
8.7

Loud and lively in a wild way

is more good natured high spirited fun rather than rowdy noise
rocking
vsrollicking
  • Informal
3.7

Very exciting and enjoyable, especially for music or parties

is more about playful behaviour rather than event style excitement

Antonyms

452 1.4

Calm and focused, not playful or joking

somber
  • US
4 4.2

Dark and dull in color, not bright

How Lively

raucous
31 7.1
boisterous
18 4.7
rollicking
2 6.0
lively
111 1.3
merry
114 1.0
cheerful
111 1.0

Surface Forms

rollicking positive

Morphology

rollicking = rollick (transparent) = rollick + ing

The adjectival meaning is predictably derived from the verb 'rollick' using the productive '-ing' form; learners familiar with the verb can infer the sense.

Etymology

Rollicking comes from rollick, a playful old word that probably mixes roll ('rolling') and lark ('playful fun'). So, to be rollicking is to feel lively and joyful, as if you are 'rolling' with excitement and having a playful adventure, which is why it means 'lively and full of fun'.