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Definition of feisty

feisty

/ˈfaɪ.sti/
feis · ty
Adverb:feistily
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feisty Lexical Profile

feisty Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Having or showing a lively, spirited, and determined temperament, especially when smaller or weaker than an opponent.

Example

"The feisty kitten stood its ground against the much larger neighborhood dog."

2

Touchy, quarrelsome, or quick to take offense and argue.

Example

"The town hall meeting turned feisty when residents began debating the proposed tax increase."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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Word Nuance & Usage

'Feisty' is a rare exception to the traditional 'I before E except after C' spelling rule.

• Nearby Words

feint
feistily
feistiness
feisty
felicia
felicitously
felicity

Word Origin & Etymology

Originates from the late 19th-century American dialect noun 'feist' (a small, aggressive dog), which itself derives from the obsolete verb 'fist' (to break wind), originally found in the 16th-century expression 'fisting dog' or 'fisting hound'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Feisty. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/feisty
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