joyride

[ joi-rahyd ]

noun

1. a pleasure ride in an automobile, especially when the vehicle is driven recklessly or used without the owner's permission.
2. a brief, emotionally exciting interlude.

verb (used without object)

, joy·rode, joy·rid·den, joy·rid·ing.

1. to go on a joyride.

joyride

noun

1. a ride taken for pleasure in a car, esp in a stolen car driven recklessly

verb

1. intr to take such a ride

Derived Forms

• ˈjoyˌriding, noun
• ˈjoyˌrider, noun

Other Words From

• joyrider noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of joyride¹

An Americanism dating back to 1905–10; joy + ride

Example Sentences

New York police have arrested a teen suspected of taking a joyride on an empty subway train then crashing it.

From BBC

Pickler might be nearing the off ramp, but his nearly three-decade, two-coast joyride isn’t over.

From Los Angeles Times

When I lived in Santiago, Chile, last year, one young passenger jumped on a luggage belt and took a joyride.

From Seattle Times

“Arthur the King” — part gooey dog drama, part survivalist joyride — stars Mark Wahlberg as Michael, an American version of the Swedish adventure racer Mikael Lindnord.

From New York Times

Mack, UCLA’s freshman guard, ensured the Bruins’ late-season joyride continued Thursday night with a flurry of points, including a driving layup with a little more than two minutes left.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• amusement
• bliss
• comfort
• contentment
• enjoyment
• gratification
• hobby
• joy
• luxury
• satisfaction
• thrill