feistiness
Americannoun
Explanation
Feistiness is a characteristic of being spunky, assertive, or even a little aggressive. Your little pup's feistiness is clear from the way he snarls at the bigger dogs in the neighborhood. Feistiness is from feisty and the American English noun feist, "small dog." A brave, spunky, and touchy little dog embodies this word perfectly — it carries both positive and negative connotations. Your feistiness can bring you success, because you're outspoken and brave. But it can also imply a quality of being quick to take offense and become aggressive: "My dog's feistiness got her kicked out of doggy daycare."
Vocabulary lists containing feistiness
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.
That is a feistiness that I’m proud of.”
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 28, 2026
O’Casey brings a feistiness and a gentle sorrow to Dolly, desperately yearning to hear her son speak.
From Seattle Times • Jul. 13, 2023
“Got some feistiness between two teams,” CBS Sports’ Tracy Wolfson said when interviewing Mayfield.
From Washington Times • Dec. 26, 2022
She says, these days "feistiness" and a "Scottish no-nonsense" attitude helps her quash it when she encounters it.
From BBC • Feb. 1, 2022
Looking back on it now, I think my parents appreciated my feistiness and I’m glad for it.
From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama
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.
