racy

[rey-see]

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.

racy

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• racily adverb
• raciness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of racy¹

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

Example Sentences

He personally oversaw the design of a racy chatbot called Ani, an animated character with blonde pigtails and revealing outfits.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The stories move fast, and some of the acting and plots can be both campy and racy.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

If Miss America is prim and studious, competing for university scholarships, think of Miss USA as the racier sister.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The first was back in March, when her Brit Awards opening performance was criticised for being too racy for pre-watershed television.

Read more on BBC

“I liked it because it sounded racy,” he says.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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