noun
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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 notesIn 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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She dug into the birthday cake with real _____.
Etymology
From Italian gusto ("taste"), from Latin gustus. A distant relation of the English word "cost".
Synonyms
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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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