racy

American  

[rey-see] / ˈreɪ si /

adjective

racier, raciest

1. slightly improper or indelicate; suggestive; risqué.

2. vigorous; lively; spirited.

   Synonyms:

   animated

   Antonyms:

   slow

3. sprightly; piquant; pungent.

   a racy literary style.

   Synonyms:

   strong

4. having an agreeably peculiar taste or flavor, as wine, fruit, etc.

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racy British  

/ ˈreɪsɪ /

adjective

1. (of a person's manner, literary style, etc) having a distinctively lively and spirited quality; fresh

2. having a characteristic or distinctive flavour

   a racy wine

3. suggestive; slightly indecent; risqué

   a racy comedy

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Other Word Forms

• racily adverb
• raciness noun

Etymology

Origin of racy

First recorded in 1645–55; race ² + -y ¹

Example Sentences

Methods which McIlroy used to zone out included watching racy period drama Bridgerton - which he claimed he was talked into by wife Erica - and Disney animation Zootopia with his four-year-old daughter Poppy.

From BBC

Designers such as Loewe showed their racier side at fashion week - think stretchy materials and big brand logos that wouldn't look out of place on your favourite athlete.

From BBC

And even the racy headline GDP growth rate was below many assumptions of a 5%-plus print.

From Reuters

He quickly expanded the business, buying a string of other titles in Australia and New Zealand and growing their circulation by employing racy tabloid techniques he'd picked up in the UK.

From BBC

Garlic and Thai chiles in the seasoning give each bite a racy edge.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• bawdy
• erotic
• lewd
• lurid
• naughty
• off-color
• suggestive