adjective

jocular

JAHK-yuh-ler/ˈdʒɑːkjələr/

Playful and fond of joking.

Her jocular mood shows as she makes a grin with an orange wedge.

At a casual meal, a woman playfully holds a broad crescent-shaped orange wedge in front of her mouth like an exaggerated orange grin, exchanging amused eye contact with a laughing companion.

Etymology

Latin ioculus was a diminutive of iocus, “joke” or “pastime.” Its adjective described something comic, giving English a word for a light, joking manner.

In context

Tasted0:36

to drink fairly continuously in small amounts. So it's that uncle that you might have or that cousin or somebody that you know that always red-faced and red-cheeked and very jocular at family events

Aphrodisiac Cocktail at the Tippler - Behind the Drink

More examples

Our jocular neighbor always has a joke ready.
His jocular tone puts the nervous guests at ease.
Even during a stressful shift, Maya remains jocular.

Forms

jocular

jocularity noun — A playful manner marked by joking.

Similar words

playful: Suggests lighthearted fun, not necessarily a fondness for jokes.
jovial: Emphasizes cheerful friendliness rather than a tendency to joke.
humorous: Emphasizes being amusing rather than being inclined to joke.