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Glite Dictionary
🌶️ Strong taste ⚡ Full of energy
zesty

zesty

3 4.7
Full of energy and excitement
  • adjective
  • /ˈzɛsti/
translation icon : vivo
  • His zesty approach to teaching keeps his students engaged and excited about learning.
  • looking downright zesty

Examples

  • It can be a natural, zesty enterprise.

    The Big Lebowski (1998)

  • Ok, so like with Ashley, I'm stealing these orange-zesty ideas from both of you and making them again.

    Blog text (22)

  • It had glamour and a zesty air of lawlessness, especially in the curtained back room.

    Fiction book (1993)

  • Reading this post reminded me how awesome it was—from the zesty, passionate people to the zesty, fatty food.

    Blog text (24)

  • I tried making the lectures more entertaining: peppering them with ribald expressions and examples, using zesty presentation slides with lots of colorful pictures and the occasional animation.

    Blog text (25)

  • City Lights brings a sparkling and energetic experience with a dash of the classic Arcade High 80s video game soundtrack personality for that zesty taste sensation we all love.

    Blog text (28)

  • The party was filled with zesty music and laughter that kept everyone dancing all night.

  • She has a zesty personality that makes her the life of every gathering.

Synonyms

lively
vszesty
111 1.3

Having a lot of energy and enthusiasm

focuses more on upbeat excitement and spirited feeling
energetic
vszesty
93 1.6

Full of energy and active

leans more toward spirited excitement and lively enthusiasm
vibrant
vszesty
81 4.1

Full of energy and activity that makes people feel excited

is similar but often lighter and more spicy in feeling
feisty
vszesty
59 4.8

Full of energy and ready to argue or fight

is more about bright enthusiasm without combative determination
perky
vszesty
45 4.1

Cheerful and full of energy

is more about excited spiritedness than simple cheerfulness
exuberant
vszesty
18 5.9

Very happy and full of energy

is livelier but usually less overwhelming and more playful
effervescent
vszesty
5 7.1

Having lively, cheerful energy that makes others feel excited

keeps the same spirited mood but with sharper zest
sparkly
vszesty
5 3.7

Full of lively energy and cheer

shares that excitement but is less about outward glitter
sparky
vszesty
  • Informal
2 4.1

Full of energy and enthusiasm that excites others

is about overall spirited energy rather than short bursts
kicky
vszesty
  • Informal
2 7.4

Lively and exciting in a bold, stylish way

is more about lively spirit than fashion or boldness
buzzy
vszesty
1 4.8

Full of lively activity and excitement that attracts people

is similar but focuses more on spirited, internal zest
zestful
vszesty
1 5.4

Full of energy and joy

is similar but often feels sharper and more lively in tone
yeasty
vszesty
  • Literature
1 8.2

Full of lively energy and creative excitement

is everyday spirited energy rather than metaphorical creativity

Antonyms

apathetic
24 6.8

Not showing much interest or energy

lethargic
15 5.3

Being very tired and slow with little interest or energy

How Energetic

ebullient
5 8.2
exuberant
18 5.9
zesty
3 4.7
animated
30 3.7
lively
111 1.3

Surface Forms

zesty positive

Morphology

zesty = zest (semi-transparent) = zest + y

The adjective is formed from 'zest' by -y; the energetic meaning is a figurative extension of 'zest', so learners may need to recognize the metaphorical shift.

Etymology

Zesty comes from zest, a word for the bright peel of citrus fruit that gives food a lively taste. People began to use zest to mean 'great energy' or 'enthusiasm', so zesty describes someone or something full of lively energy or excitement.