jolis

Jolis is the plural masculine form of the French adjective joli, meaning “pretty” or “nice.” It describes plural masculine nouns or mixed-gender groups; the feminine plural form is jolies. The corresponding forms reflect standard French adjective agreement: jolis for masculine plural, jolies for feminine plural, and joli for masculine singular, jolie for feminine singular.

In typical usage, jolis precedes the noun it describes. Examples include des jolis vêtements (some nice clothes), des jolis paysages (beautiful landscapes), and des jolis yeux (pretty eyes). The adjective can also appear with intensifiers or other adjectives, just as in English with “very pretty” or “quite nice.” The comparative and superlative forms are plus joli and le plus joli, though in practice many speakers use plus joli or le plus joli without special construction.

Pronunciation in standard French is approximately [ʒɔ.li], with the final “s” of jolis silent. The adverbial form joliment exists to describe actions in a manner that is pleasing or nicely, as in faire joliment les choses.

Etymology traces joli to Old French, with origins that are not definitively established. It is a common, everyday adjective in contemporary French and widely understood across French-speaking regions, including France, Belgium, and parts of Canada.