A short journey taken for pleasure, usually lasting just a day or so.
Origin uncertain, possibly from dialectal English or Scottish; first appeared in the 17th century with the meaning of a quick trip or excursion. The word may be related to French 'jante' (to tire out), though this is debated. Over time it came to mean a pleasant, leisurely short journey.
The word 'jaunt' became especially popular in the 18th-19th centuries when improved roads and transportation made it possible for ordinary people to take recreational trips—before this, traveling was mostly necessary, not fun! It captures that specific feeling of a trip that's long enough to be an adventure but short enough to return home for dinner.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.