jaunty

Jaunty is an English adjective describing someone or something that is lively, cheerful, and self-confident in manner or appearance. A person described as jaunty may move with a brisk, assured stride, speak in a zippy, upbeat way, or wear clothing that signals ease and style. The term can apply to behavior, dress, or overall bearing and often carries a sense of breezy confidence, and at times swagger.

Etymology: The word entered English in the early 18th century. Its exact origins are uncertain; it is generally associated with notions of liveliness or sprightly bearing found in French and other Romance languages, but there is no definitive derivation.

Usage: Jaunty is typically positive or neutral, suggesting charm and vivacity. In some contexts it can imply affectation or self-satisfaction. Common collocations include jaunty hat, jaunty stride, a jaunty manner, and jauntily as an adverb: "she walked jauntily." The noun form jauntiness is the standard way to express the quality, while jauntyness is rare.

See also: rakish, dapper, debonair, sprightly, breezy, jauntiness.

Note: The term is widely used in literary and journalistic writing to convey mood or character without explicit description.