feisty

[ fahy-stee ]

/ ˈfaɪ sti /

adjective, feist·i·er, feist·i·est.

full of animation, energy, or courage; spirited; spunky; plucky: The champion is faced with a feisty challenger.

ill-tempered; pugnacious.

troublesome; difficult: feisty legal problems.

Nearby words

feira de santana, feirie, feisal i, feisal ii, feist, feisty, felafel, feldene, feldenkrais method, feldsher, feldspar

Origin of feisty

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900; feist + -y¹

Related forms

feist·i·ly, adverbfeist·i·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for feistiness

If only Huntsman had shown some of that feistiness on stage.
Huntsman Blows Romney Attack at GOP Debate|McKay Coppins|November 10, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Does Mitt Romney have Chris Christie to thank for his feistiness?
7 Best Debate Moments|Alex Berg|October 12, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Here was the feistiness that likely could have made him the victor had his name been on the ballot.
Anthony Weiner’s Election Day|Michael Daly|September 13, 2011|DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for feistiness

feisty

/ (ˈfaɪstɪ) /

adjective feistier or feistiest informal

lively, resilient, and self-reliant

US and Canadian frisky

US and Canadian irritable

Word Origin for feisty

C19: from dialect feist, fist small dog; related to Old English fīsting breaking wind

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012