feisty
Americanadjective
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full of animation, energy, or courage; spirited; spunky; plucky.
The champion is faced with a feisty challenger.
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ill-tempered; pugnacious.
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troublesome; difficult.
feisty legal problems.
adjective
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lively, resilient, and self-reliant
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frisky
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irritable
Usage
What does feisty mean? Feisty is used to describe someone or something that is full of energy or courage. Someone who’s described as feisty usually has a strong will and is unafraid of showing it, even in difficult circumstances or when challenged. Feisty is also used to describe a person or animal that is ill-tempered: Jack gets feisty when he is tired. Sometimes feisty is used to describe someone or something that is troublesome: My computer gets feisty whenever the software updates. Feisty can be used as a compliment, praising someone’s courage, spiritedness, or pluckiness. Or it can be used somewhat critically, suggesting someone is prone to getting angry. Feisty depends on how someone thinks about the words and actions of the person or thing they think is feisty. Example: It took hours to catch the feisty puppy who easily outran all of us.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of feisty
Explanation
Feisty is a word for someone who is touchy or quarrelsome. It can also mean "showing courage or determination." If you're huffy or thin-skinned, you're feisty. Feisty people often seem to be itching for a fight. On the other hand, this has a more positive meaning. It may also describe a courageous or spirited person, especially one who is smaller or an underdog. A small boxer knocking out a huge opponent is feisty. Little dogs barking at huge dogs are feisty in both senses: they're being brave, but they're also a little too quick to open their yaps.
Vocabulary lists containing feisty
Dear Martin
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Game Changer
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Warriors Don't Cry (Abridged)
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Feisty debates hosted by media outlets used to be a fixture in Hong Kong elections, but no such event has been announced this year.
From Barron's • Nov. 12, 2025
Feisty and bullheaded, his office walls covered with animal trophies and a 10-foot grizzly pelt, Young was a former riverboat captain willing to do anything to send money home to Alaska.
From Washington Post • Mar. 29, 2022
Under Harbaugh, the Ravens have cultivated a certain identity: Feisty and resilient, they tend to play lots of close games, regardless of their personnel.
From New York Times • Dec. 19, 2021
Feisty Emmanuel from France thinks John is messing up all their lives, and they should kick him out of the house.
From The Guardian • Apr. 9, 2019
Feisty, furious, yet extraordinarily kind and generous; Harlan Ellison was one of a kind.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 28, 2018
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
