jaunty

[jawn-tee, jahn-]

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.

Origin of jaunty

1655–65; earlier jentee, juntee < French gentil noble, gentle, genteel with ending taken as -y¹

Related formsjaun·ti·ly, adverbjaun·ti·ness, nounun·jaun·ty, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for jaunty

Contemporary Examples

That song would soon morph from the jaunty clip of the light rail to the siren sounds of jazz.
Those Kansas City Blues: A Family History
Katie Baker
October 24, 2014
"It's been weeks since I left my mark," he said in his jaunty British accent.
‘True Detective’ Finale Review: Close to Perfection
Andrew Romano
March 10, 2014
Baldwin introduced the show wearing a jaunty blue blazer, but conducted the taped interview wearing a sober gray suit.
'Up Late with Alec Baldwin' is a Snooze
Lloyd Grove
October 12, 2013
She perfectly captures the jaunty, businesslike hooker enjoying the absurd side of her job.
Isabelle Huppert Plays a Call Girl
Tracy Quan
August 26, 2011

Historical Examples

There was something soldierly in his bearing, and he wore a jaunty cap and jacket.
Barnaby Rudge
Charles Dickens
But once he came up out of the cabin with a jaunty feather in his hat.
Tales of Fishes
Zane Grey
He was cool and jaunty, his hands in his pockets, a rose in his buttonhole.
The Long Roll
Mary Johnston
She tried to be jaunty, but the jauntiness did not ring quite true.
The Galaxy Primes
Edward Elmer Smith
To conceal my nervousness I tried to affect an air of jaunty composure.
The Cryptogram
William Murray Graydon

British Dictionary definitions for jaunty

jaunty

adjective -tier or -tiest

sprightly, self-confident, and cheerful; briska jaunty step
smart; trima jaunty hat

Derived Formsjauntily, adverbjauntiness, noun

Word Origin

C17: from French gentil noble; see genteel

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for jaunty

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.

jaunty

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}jaunty

Related Words

Examples from the Web for jaunty

Contemporary Examples

That song would soon morph from the jaunty clip of the light rail to the siren sounds of jazz.

"It's been weeks since I left my mark," he said in his jaunty British accent.

Baldwin introduced the show wearing a jaunty blue blazer, but conducted the taped interview wearing a sober gray suit.

She perfectly captures the jaunty, businesslike hooker enjoying the absurd side of her job.

Historical Examples

There was something soldierly in his bearing, and he wore a jaunty cap and jacket.

But once he came up out of the cabin with a jaunty feather in his hat.

He was cool and jaunty, his hands in his pockets, a rose in his buttonhole.

She tried to be jaunty, but the jauntiness did not ring quite true.

To conceal my nervousness I tried to affect an air of jaunty composure.

jaunty

Word Origin

Word Origin and History for jaunty

adj.

Origin of jaunty