Examples Word Origin
See more synonyms for jaunty on Thesaurus.com adjective, jaun·ti·er, jaun·ti·est. easy and sprightly in manner or bearing: to walk with a jaunty step. smartly trim, as clothing: a jaunty hat. Show More
Origin of jaunty 1655–65; earlier
jentee, juntee <
French gentil noble, gentle,
genteel with ending taken as
-y1 Related forms jaun·ti·ly , adverb jaun·ti·ness , noun un·jaun·ty , adjective Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for jauntily Contemporary Examples of jauntily Meanwhile, New York Magazine ran a jauntily satirical article—“Bro, Can You Spare, Like, Five Bills?”
Springer jauntily replies, quickly adding that his tawdry syndicated show is probably a more accurate harbinger of the End Times.
And let's not forget death panels, Sarah Palin's jauntily inflammatory phrase for the "Independent Medicare Advisory Board."
Historical Examples of jauntily "To me, it is a matter of perfect indifference," said I, jauntily .
"A feller's got to be in this country," he replied, jauntily .
Sandy handed Brewer a cigar and stuck one, jauntily , in his own mouth.
All were strolling as leisurely and jauntily as only true plutocrats can afford to do.
“Some chaps is always thinking about going to bed,” said Bob jauntily .
British Dictionary definitions for jauntily adjective -tier or -tiest sprightly, self-confident, and cheerful; brisk a jaunty step smart; trim a jaunty hat Show More
Derived Forms jauntily , adverb jauntiness , noun Word Origin for jaunty C17: from French gentil noble; see genteel
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for jauntily adj. 1660s, "elegant, stylish," from French gentil "nice, pleasing," in Old French "noble" (see gentle ). Form reflects attempt to render the French pronunciation of gentil . Meaning "easy and sprightly in manner" first attested 1670s. Related: Jauntily ; jauntiness .
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
