joyride

[ joi-rahyd ]

noun

1. a pleasure ride in an automobile, especially when the vehicle is driven recklessly or used without the owner's permission.
2. a brief, emotionally exciting interlude.

verb (used without object)

, joy·rode, joy·rid·den, joy·rid·ing.

1. to go on a joyride.

joyride

noun

1. a ride taken for pleasure in a car, esp in a stolen car driven recklessly

verb

1. intr to take such a ride

Derived Forms

• ˈjoyˌrider, noun
• ˈjoyˌriding, noun

Other Words From

• joyrider noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of joyride¹

An Americanism dating back to 1905–10; joy + ride

Example Sentences

The joyride might start with a wispy bite of fried julienne celery root — so light it melts on the tongue, along with a surprise center of silken smoked tofu — and move on to dishes that trumpet the season.

From Washington Post

Thus, a valet “may take possession of a person’s car to park it, but he cannot take it for a joyride.”

From Vox

A valet, for example, may take possession of a person’s car to park it, but he cannot take it for a joyride.

From Washington Post

This was not a joyride of a regular season for Jackson and the Ravens, as last season had been.

From Washington Post

For some, it has been a joyride, an opportunity to stick the eye of an establishment they saw as easy to hate.

From Washington Post

Up to this point, the two have engaged in light flirtation, including the occasional joyride.

From The Daily Beast

We got drunk, and I hooked him up with some Ecstasy and Xanax, and we took a joyride and partied for hours.

From The Daily Beast

Liz Cheney's media joyride is boosting talk of a possible congressional run.

From The Daily Beast

A joyride in which a man was run down figured prominently in his first nights entertainment.

From Project Gutenberg

You once nobble that, congregation, and a buck joyride to heaven becomes a back number.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• amusement
• bliss
• comfort
• contentment
• enjoyment
• gratification
• hobby
• joy
• luxury
• satisfaction
• thrill