amicable, amiable – Amicable implies being well disposed; amiable is acting well disposed and is commonly applied only to people—though sometimes it is used for occasions, while amicable is not applied to people at all but to human interactions and their outcomes. Amiable first meant “kind” or “lovely, lovable,” and amicable first applied to things and meant “pleasant, benign.” More…
jolly – Comes from Old French jolif, “merry, festive, pleasant.” More…
merry – First meant “peaceful” or “pleasant,” which is what it first meant in “Merry Christmas.” More…