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jaunty

[ jawn-tee, jahn- ]
/ ˈdʒɔn ti, ˈdʒɑn- /
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See synonyms for: jaunty / jauntily / jauntiness 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.
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Origin of jaunty

First recorded in 1655–65; earlier jentee, juntee, from French gentil “noble, gentle” (see genteel), with ending taken as -y1

OTHER WORDS FROM jaunty

jaun·ti·ly, adverbjaun·ti·ness, nounun·jaun·ty, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use jaunty in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for jaunty

jaunty
/ (ˈdʒɔːntɪ) /

adjective -tier or -tiest
sprightly, self-confident, and cheerful; briska jaunty step
smart; trima jaunty hat

Derived forms of jaunty

jauntily, adverbjauntiness, 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 Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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