If you describe someone as feisty, you mean that they are tough, independent, and spirited, often when you would not expect them to be, for example because they are old or ill.
The soldier looked incredulously at the feisty child.
At 66, she was as feisty as ever.
Synonyms: fiery, spirited, active, bold More Synonyms of feisty
feisty in British English
(ˈfaɪstɪ)
adjectiveWord forms: feistier or feistiest informal
1.
lively, resilient, and self-reliant
2. US and Canadian
frisky
3. US and Canadian
irritable
Word origin
C19: from dialect feist, fist small dog; related to Old English fīsting breaking wind
feisty in American English
(ˈfaɪsti)
US
adjectiveWord forms: ˈfeistier or ˈfeistiest
Informal, Dialectal
full of spirit
; specif.,
a.
quarrelsome, aggressive, belligerent, etc.
b.
lively, energetic, spunky, etc.
Derived forms
feistily (ˈfeistily)
adverb
feistiness (ˈfeistiness)
noun
Word origin
feist + -y2
Examples of 'feisty' in a sentence
feisty
My advice to a woman with a feisty husband is to encourage him to employ a cleaning gentleman to do his chores for him.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
She was also feisty and funny and looked gorgeous at her eviction.
The Sun (2009)
He realised she was not a feisty woman after all.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
There have been concerns that the feisty four lead characters are getting on a bit.
The Sun (2010)
You will meet your fit and feisty new love in the fitness centre.
The Sun (2008)
My mum is quite a feisty character and she definitely wears the trousers in the house.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
She was a vibrant, lively and feisty woman who had an extremely positive attitude towards life.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
She was a really feisty, fearless woman who loved to laugh.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
In so many ways the feisty young man from Dunblane is a dichotomy.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Bosses hope the crash episodes will boost ratings further - something the feisty young cast deserve.
The Sun (2014)
You realise you have hidden energy and courage - and your feisty new side intrigues a partner or admirer.
The Sun (2011)
A key attribute of the new ruling class is to be married to a successful and feisty woman.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
She was feisty and funny.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
You have a feisty new approach to life and what others see as a problem, you see as an exciting challenge.
The Sun (2007)
She must have been dying inside, but this feisty woman managed to salvage something from the wreck of her wedding day.
The Sun (2007)
Turn to p18 to read her funny, feisty interview.
The Sun (2014)
She's funny, feisty and gorgeous.
The Sun (2014)
Eve is a feisty and resourceful heroine, and the earl and his wayward family are viewed as an intriguing mix of the blinkered and the humane.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
These feisty heroines are not tough for the sake of it; they're tough because they need to be.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
In reality, she is a woman of feisty opinions, broad observations and an almost obsessive curiosity about dance.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
She most enjoyed her early years as a nurse in the rough and tumble of A&E, and is clearly a feisty character.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
I know she's got a reputation to maintain as a feisty, fiery character but she got really personal.
The Sun (2014)
In other languages
feisty
British English: feisty ADJECTIVE
If you describe someone as feisty, you mean that they are tough, independent, and spirited.
The soldier looked incredulously at the feisty child.
American English: feisty
Brazilian Portuguese: genioso
Chinese: 有精神的
European Spanish: resuelto
French: combatif
German: robust
Italian: grintoso
Japanese: 物怖じしない
Korean: 혈기 왕성한
European Portuguese: genioso
Latin American Spanish: resuelto
(adjective)
Definition
frisky
(informal)
At 66, she was as feisty as ever.
Synonyms
fiery
spirited
He wanted merely to provoke a spirited debate.
active
the tragedy of an active mind trapped by failing physical health
bold
Some young people may seem bold and confident, but inside they are very fragile.
lively
She had a sweet, lively personality.
sparkling
He is sparkling and versatile in front of the camera.
vigorous
The choir and orchestra gave a vigorous performance of Haydn's oratorio.
energetic
Two-year-olds can be incredibly energetic.
animated
Everyone became more animated.
have-a-go (informal)
courageous
ardent
an ardent lover
game
They were the only ones game enough to give it a try.
plucky
The plucky schoolgirl amazed doctors by hanging on to life.
high-spirited
Her high-spirited demeanour was not ideally suited for palace life.
sprightly
the sprightly 85-year-old president
vivacious
a beautiful, vivacious and charming young woman
spunky (informal)
mettlesome
She was bright and mettlesome - a real go-getter.
(as) game as Ned Kelly (Australian, slang)
Additional synonyms
in the sense of active
Definition
busy and energetic
the tragedy of an active mind trapped by failing physical health