adj
feisty
FYS-tee
Feisty (adj) means Full of spirit and energy; not afraid to stand up for oneself. Example: “The feisty toddler refused to leave the playground.”
adj
1
Full of spirit and energy; not afraid to stand up for oneself.
"The feisty toddler refused to leave the playground."
"She gave a feisty response to the reporter's question."
How to use feisty
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSpunky and quick to stand up for yourself, often used approvingly for someone small but tough.
Common pairings
feisty attitude
a feisty little dog
feisty personality
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Word forms
- Comparative
- feistier, more feisty
- Superlative
- feistiest, most feisty
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ toddler refused to leave the playground.
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.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for feisty
See all rhymes for 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.
