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noun C1 Advanced

gusto

GUHS-toh

Gusto (noun) means Enthusiasm and energy put into doing something. Example: “She dug into the birthday cake with real gusto.”

noun
1
Enthusiasm and energy put into doing something.
"She dug into the birthday cake with real gusto."
"He tackled the renovation project with gusto, tearing out walls all weekend."
2
A particular style or artistic taste in how something is done.
"The mural was painted in the gusto of the old street muralists."

How to use gusto

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishDoing something with obvious enjoyment and energy, not half-heartedly.

Memory tip

Almost always paired with "with" — "with gusto" — describing how someone does something.

Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
with gusto sing with gusto eat with gusto
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Test yourself on “gusto” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

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She dug into the birthday cake with real _____.

Etymology

From Italian gusto ("taste"), from Latin gustus. A distant relation of the English word "cost".

Origin: Latin

Related words

Frequently asked questions

What does “gusto” mean?

The word “gusto” means enthusiasm and energy put into doing something. In plain terms, doing something with obvious enjoyment and energy, not half-heartedly.

How do you pronounce “gusto”?

“Gusto” is pronounced GUHS-toh (/ˈɡʌstoʊ/ in IPA).

How do you use “gusto” in a sentence?

Here is “gusto” used in a sentence: “She dug into the birthday cake with real gusto.”

What part of speech is “gusto”?

“Gusto” is a noun.

Where does the word “gusto” come from?

The word “gusto” comes from Latin. From Italian gusto ("taste"), from Latin gustus. A distant relation of the English word "cost".

How many meanings does “gusto” have?

“Gusto” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: enthusiasm and energy put into doing something.

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