feisty
4 synonyms and 1 antonym for feisty, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Full of spirit and energy; not afraid to stand up for oneself.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use feisty
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
feisty attitude
a feisty little dog
feisty personality
Etymology
Comes from the American word feist, an old term for a small, aggressive dog, itself traced back to an Old English word meaning "fart" — plus the ending -y.
Full origin of feisty →Frequently asked questions
What does “feisty” mean?
The word “feisty” means full of spirit and energy; not afraid to stand up for oneself. In plain terms, spunky and quick to stand up for yourself, often used approvingly for someone small but tough.
How do you pronounce “feisty”?
“Feisty” is pronounced FYS-tee (/ˈfaɪsti/ in IPA).
How do you use “feisty” in a sentence?
Here is “feisty” used in a sentence: “The feisty toddler refused to leave the playground.”
What part of speech is “feisty”?
“Feisty” is an adjective.
Where does the word “feisty” come from?
The word “feisty” comes from Old English. Comes from the American word feist, an old term for a small, aggressive dog, itself traced back to an Old English word meaning "fart" — plus the ending -y.
