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
Etymology
Origin of jaunty
First recorded in 1655–65; earlier jentee, juntee, from French gentil “noble, gentle” ( see genteel), with ending taken as -y 1
Explanation
Jaunty combines ideas such as cheerful, spiffy, upbeat, and natty into one delightfully economical adjective that means all of those things at once! A jaunty hat is one that's stylish and cheerful at the same time, a quality that can be accentuated if the person wears it in a jaunty fashion, perhaps off to the side or over one eye. Playing the part of a jaunty person is easy if you're feeling upbeat and chipper and want the world to know it. Elves are often jaunty in their own way. Sporting their spiffy outfits and featuring that trademark cheerful spring in their step. The fact they always seem so lively and eager to chat only increases the jaunty impression they make. One can't be blamed for wanting to take a jaunt with the jaunty little guys.
Vocabulary lists containing jaunty
The Giver
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Positive Words to Describe a Person
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Tuck Everlasting
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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.
See Examples For:
We understand Paul’s fatal bravado in tenor Michael Kuhn’s jaunty recounting of a race with a rabbit that ends with him crashing his car—it’s a performance designed to deflect Norman’s offer of help.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 23, 2026
In 1938, he brought a jaunty brio to “The Adventures of Robin Hood” that forever defined the character.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 2, 2026
My brothers were particularly fond of one wooden ewe mounted on wheels, which gave her the jaunty appearance of a sheep who had recently discovered skateboarding.
From Salon ● Aug. 31, 2026
Erling Haaland stood on the pitch in Dallas, a goofy grin across his face and a Viking helmet atop his head at a jaunty angle.
From BBC ● Jun. 30, 2026
Then he shrugged, looked up, and gave a surprisingly jaunty smile.
From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss
Hnath creates his own universe, and the design choices should reflect this wonderland quality to a jauntier degree.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 20, 2025
Two portraits of composer Arnold Schoenberg depict him seated in a chair, but one is formal and mostly in shades of gray while the other is looser, jauntier and heavy on reds and pinks.
From Washington Post ● Dec. 18, 2019
To the rear is the stylishly poised Miramar restaurant and on one side the jauntier hotel Belle-Vue, with its tiny, busy balcony restaurant poking out on the first floor.
From The Guardian ● Apr. 28, 2013
His new film, the 12th written by Paul Laverty, has a jauntier tone.
From Time ● May 27, 2012
Now as we were marching away, I gained very distinct impressions, as for instance of: item a little cocked hat like a man's, only jauntier; item a green riding-coat; item a red waistcoat, etc.
From Lawrence Clavering by A. E. W. (Alfred Edward Woodley) Mason
That “Going Shopping” is the album’s jauntiest cut — with a music video that restages Paul Simon’s “You Can Call Me Al,” no less — only sharpens the critique.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 27, 2026
The distinct period setting and sleek, angular design of the first “Incredibles,” with its Midcentury Modern home furnishings and retro-futuristic architecture, made it the jauntiest, most American of Pixar masterworks.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 4, 2018
American insouciance melts Russian sanctimony in Arthur Freed’s 1957 production “Silk Stockings,” the jauntiest of Cold War movies.
From New York Times ● Aug. 19, 2016
He came on with a drink for the batsmen, and starting signalling an overturned review to the England fielders, all the while wearing the jauntiest of smiles.
From The Guardian ● Nov. 3, 2015
"Corbin?" repeated the Colonel in his jauntiest manner.
From Colonel Starbottle's Client by Bret Harte
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
