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. 2019

Examples from the Web for jaunty

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|DAILY BEAST
"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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST

It was during his captivity here that he first lost hope; his hair turned gray and his trim, jaunty cavalier air forsook him.
In Unfamiliar England|Thomas Dowler Murphy
Upon his head was a jaunty cloth cap, from beneath which flowed a quantity of fine, curly hair.
My Life: or the Adventures of Geo. Thompson|George Thompson
In a jaunty way, he sported his hat on one side of his head, and moved as proudly as if going off to a bargain of millions.
Fighting the Sea|Edward A. Rand
He was a dandy from the soles of his shiny elastic-side boots to the crown of his jaunty hard-hitter.
Tropic Days|E. J. Banfield
It was perfectly tailored and Miss Barrett even had the jaunty little beret fitted snugly over her carefully marcelled hair.
Jane Stewardess of the Air Lines|Ruthe S. Wheeler

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 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

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

adjective, jaun·ti·er, jaun·ti·est.

RELATED WORDS

Origin of jaunty

Examples from the Web for jaunty

jaunty

adjective -tier or -tiest

Word Origin for jaunty