spunky

[spuhng-kee]

adjective

spunkier, spunkiest 

1. plucky; spirited.

Other Word Forms

• spunkily adverb
• spunkiness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of spunky¹

First recorded in 1780–90; spunk + -y ¹

Example Sentences

A gang of spunky seabirds was quickly assembled, and everyone followed Nimbus down through the air.

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The resulting sequence brims with delightful wonder and manifests her spunky, self-assured personality.

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"We will always feel blessed to have had this beautiful spunky ray of light in our lives. She will live on in our hearts forever!"

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More spunky than saccharine, Elio spends most of the film wearing a bandage over a black eye.

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Together, the young pariah-turned-lizard-rider and his spunky pet prove there’s strength in pacifism.

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Related Words

• chirpy 
• courageous 
• energetic 
• fearless 
• high-spirited 
• peppy 
• plucky