joyride

noun

joy·​ride ˈjȯi-ˌrīd 

1

: a ride taken for pleasure (as in a car or aircraft)

especially : an automobile ride marked by reckless driving (as in a stolen car)

2

: conduct or action resembling a joyride especially in disregard of cost or consequences

joyride intransitive verb

joyrider

ˈjȯi-ˌrī-dər 

noun

joyriding noun

Examples of joyride in a Sentence

Some teenager stole my car and took it for a joyride.

Recent Examples on the Web

Enter Scott, who specializes in fashion as a theatrical joyride. —Miles Socha, Footwear News, 6 Sep. 2025

In Burlington, North Carolina, two dealership employees were caught taking a Corvette Z06 on joyrides - with the whole episode recorded by the car’s cameras. —Josh Max, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025

If that first season was a high-speed joyride—part Mad Max, part Mario Kart—Season 2 hit the accelerator, stretching across 10 episodes that grew bolder, stranger, and more emotionally grounded, with a finale that offers its characters a glimpse of what life beyond survival looks like. —Jp Mangalindan, Time, 28 Aug. 2025

However, Harrison has denied any involvement in the joyride. —Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1909, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for joyride

• abide
• allied
• applied
• aside
• astride
• azide
• backside
• bankside
• bastide
• bayside
• bedside
• belied

Kids Definition

joyride

noun

joy·​ride ˈjoi-ˌrīd 

: a ride taken for pleasure and often marked by reckless driving

joyrider

-ˌrīd-ər 

noun