jaunty

[ jawn-tee, jahn- ]
See synonyms for: jauntyjauntilyjauntiness on Thesaurus.com

adjective,jaun·ti·er, jaun·ti·est.
  1. easy and sprightly in manner or bearing: to walk with a jaunty step.

  2. smartly trim, as clothing: a jaunty hat.

Origin of jaunty

1
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, adverb
  • jaun·ti·ness, noun
  • un·jaun·ty, adjective

Words Nearby jaunty

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How to use jaunty in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for jaunty

jaunty

/ (ˈdʒɔːntɪ) /


adjective-tier or -tiest
  1. sprightly, self-confident, and cheerful; brisk: a jaunty step

  2. smart; trim: a jaunty hat

Origin of jaunty

1
C17: from French gentil noble; see genteel

Derived forms of jaunty

  • jauntily, adverb
  • jauntiness, noun

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