jaunty
Americanadjective
-
easy and sprightly in manner or bearing.
to walk with a jaunty step.
-
smartly trim, as clothing.
a jaunty hat.
adjective
-
sprightly, self-confident, and cheerful; brisk
a jaunty step
-
smart; trim
a jaunty hat
Other Word Forms
- jauntily adverb
- jauntiness noun
- unjaunty adjective
Etymology
Origin of jaunty
First recorded in 1655–65; earlier jentee, juntee, from French gentil “noble, gentle” ( genteel ), with ending taken as -y 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Penelope half hoped he would notice and perhaps even admire the jaunty, galloping rhythm of the words, but he simply counted out the money and went back to his budgets.
From Literature
Despite its peculiarities, Penelope had grown fond of the Hixby’s Guide, for the pictures were charming and the brief descriptions were written in jaunty, if enigmatic, verse.
From Literature
To get the right feeling for a story set in Edwardian London, the Shermans channeled the jaunty tunes of the Music Hall tradition.
First, exuberant electronic music, “Secret Teardrops” by Martin Rev, plays right before she eats, followed by the jaunty track, “25 Miles” by Edwin Starr, as she embarks on her food tour of the city.
From Salon
It sounds fantastic, and it’s so loyal to every jaunty warble that audiences might not notice.
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
