jaunty

jaun·ty

adjective \ˈjȯn-tē, ˈjän-\

jaun·ti·erjaun·ti·est

Definition of JAUNTY

1

archaic

a : stylish

b : genteel

2

: sprightly in manner or appearance : lively <sporting a jaunty red beret> <a jaunty stroll>

— jaun·ti·ly \ˈjȯn-tə-lē, ˈjän-\ adverb

— jaun·ti·ness \ˈjȯn-tē-nəs, ˈjän-\ noun

Examples of JAUNTY

1. He struck a jaunty pose for the camera.
2. She was wearing a jaunty white cap.

Origin of JAUNTY

modification of French gentil

First Known Use: 1662

Related to JAUNTY

Synonyms

active, airy, animate, animated, bouncing, brisk, energetic, frisky, gay, lively, jazzy, kinetic, mettlesome, peppy, perky, pert, pizzazzy (or pizazzy), racy, snappy, spanking, sparky, spirited, sprightly, springy, vital, vivacious, zippy

Antonyms

dead, inactive, inanimate, lackadaisical, languid, languishing, languorous, leaden, lifeless, limp, listless, spiritless, vapid

Related Words

dapper, dashing, spiffy; agog, alert, awake, open-eyed, up, wide-awake; agile, nimble, spry; bright, buoyant, cheerful, chipper, chirpy, chirrupy, effervescent, sparkly, upbeat; eager, enthusiastic, keen; frolicsome, impish, pixieish, playful; boisterous, bubbly, ebullient, exuberant, high-spirited; high-strung, nervous, skittish

Near Antonyms

indolent, lazy, unambitious; inert, lethargic, sleepy, sluggish, tired, torpid, weary; apathetic, impassive, phlegmatic, stolid; boring, dull, irksome, tedious

Rhymes with JAUNTY

Brontë, monte