spunky

17 4.6

Brave and full of energy and determination

adjective
/ˈspʌŋki/

Informal

: valiente

I'm also a stay-at-home mom to my sweet and spunky little girl, Piper.
spunky girl
spunky woman
spunky heroine

And then he was a spunky, spiky punk in the Clash.

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Examples

The spunky young dancer captivated the audience with her energetic performance.
My youngest son Xander is a very spunky, energetic boy.
Favorite thing is your spunky personality.
Essie is just so spunky, and I loved getting to know her even better in this book.

Blog text (16)
Heather, the child, is a spunky, modern little thing with a spiky, elfin haircut.

Fiction book (1994)
Do guys prefer the fun-loving blondes, the intellectual brunettes, or the spunky redheads?

Blog text (16)
We don't have a lot of illnesses or anything like that at this barn, and so we're really hopeful that Satin will pull through and be back to his normal, spunky self and ready to ride all summer.

Mars (2024)
Shakira is fun-loving and spunky, while RC is quick-thinking and sneaky.

Blog text (13)
Despite the challenges, his spunky spirit helped him overcome every obstacle.
She is a spunky individual who never backs down from a challenge.

Synonyms

lively

vsspunky

109 1.3

Having a lot of energy and enthusiasm

adds specific bravery and determined courage to that animation

vibrant

vsspunky

93 4.1

Full of energy and activity that makes people feel excited

brings courage and determined resolve, not only vivid energy

feisty

vsspunky

61 4.8

Full of energy and ready to argue or fight

shows courage and energetic action without the combative edge

game

vsspunky

Informal

58 6.8

Willing to try something new or risky

adds stronger determination and active bravery beyond mere readiness

gritty

vsspunky

38 5.5

Brave and determined when things are difficult or dangerous

leans more toward energetic bravery than hard persistent toughness

plucky

vsspunky

13 6.8

To be brave and keep trying when things are hard

leans toward energetic general bravery rather than struggle-focused courage

spirited

vsspunky

3 4.3

Brave and determined when facing danger or difficulty

emphasizes energetic action as well as bravery

sparky

vsspunky

Informal

3 4.1

Full of energy and enthusiasm that excites others

includes real courage and determination beyond pure energy

mettlesome

vsspunky

1 8.8

Being brave and full of energy when facing danger

adds energetic determination alongside that courage

gamy

vsspunky

Archaic

1 8.5

Brave and willing to face danger

adds energetic determination and active bravery to that willingness

Antonyms

cowardly

81 3.9

Feeling fear and avoiding dangerous or difficult situations

timid

56 3.5

Shy and afraid to do new or risky things

How Spirited

fearless

117 3.4

daring

93 3.4

bold

327 2.7

spunky

Informal

17 4.6

lively

109 1.3

Surface Forms

spunky positive

Morphology

spunky = spunk (transparent) = spunk + y

Formed regularly from 'spunk' + '-y' meaning 'full of spunk,' so the adjective's meaning is predictable from the noun.

Etymology

The word spunky comes from spunk, an old word for a small 'spark' or bit of 'fire', so to be spunky is to have a bright inner 'spark'. That's why spunky now means brave, lively, and full of spirit.