Jaunty means having a lively, confident, and cheerful manner, often with a bit of style or flair. When someone walks with a jaunty step, they move with energy and self-assurance, maybe even whistling or swinging their arms. A person wearing a hat at a jaunty angle has tilted it in a way that looks spirited and a little bold.

The word captures a specific kind of confidence: not the serious, formal kind, but the lighthearted, carefree kind. Picture someone who just aced a test they studied hard for, now strolling down the hallway with a jaunty bounce in their step. Or imagine a character in an old movie wearing a scarf tied at a jaunty angle, showing they feel good about themselves and their day.

You can describe music as jaunty too. A jaunty tune is upbeat and makes you want to tap your feet. The word often appears in stories to show that a character feels cheerful and confident: “She set off on her adventure with a jaunty wave to her friends.” It's that combination of happiness, energy, and just a touch of swagger.