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Glite Dictionary
spunky

spunky

16 4.6
Brave and full of energy and determination
  • adjective
  • /ˈspʌŋki/
  • Informal
translation icon : 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
111 1.3

Having a lot of energy and enthusiasm

adds specific bravery and determined courage to that animation
vibrant
vsspunky
81 4.1

Full of energy and activity that makes people feel excited

brings courage and determined resolve, not only vivid energy
feisty
vsspunky
59 4.8

Full of energy and ready to argue or fight

shows courage and energetic action without the combative edge
gritty
vsspunky
41 5.5

Brave and determined when things are difficult or dangerous

leans more toward energetic bravery than hard persistent toughness
plucky
vsspunky
14 6.8

To be brave and keep trying when things are hard

leans toward energetic general bravery rather than struggle-focused courage
sparky
vsspunky
  • Informal
2 4.1

Full of energy and enthusiasm that excites others

includes real courage and determination beyond pure energy
spirited
vsspunky
4.3

Brave and determined when facing danger or difficulty

emphasizes energetic action as well as bravery
mettlesome
vsspunky
8.8

Being brave and full of energy when facing danger

adds energetic determination alongside that courage
gamy
vsspunky
  • Archaic
8.5

Brave and willing to face danger

adds energetic determination and active bravery to that willingness
game
vsspunky
  • Informal
6.8

Willing to try something new or risky

adds stronger determination and active bravery beyond mere readiness

Antonyms

cowardly
84 3.9

Feeling fear and avoiding dangerous or difficult situations

timid
60 3.5

Shy and afraid to do new or risky things

How Spirited

fearless
117 3.4
daring
3 3.4
bold
257 2.7
spunky
  • Informal
16 4.6
lively
111 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.