Word
feisty
US/ˈfaɪsti/
UK/fˈaɪsti/
Definitions
01spirited and energetic
B2 · Upper Intermediate Informal
adj. full of energy, confidence, and spirit.
adj. characterised by a lively, spirited, and courageous personality.
“The feisty kitten hissed at the large dog to protect its food.”
“Even at ninety, the grandmother remained feisty, regularly challenging her doctors' advice and insisting on walking to the market alone.”
Usage
Often used to describe children, elderly people, or small animals who show surprising strength of character.
Teaching tip
While usually a compliment, it can sometimes sound slightly patronising because it implies the person's strength is surprising or cute.
02ready to argue
C1 · Advanced Informal
adj. quick to get angry or start an argument.
adj. prone to bickering or becoming easily offended; belligerent in a minor way.
“He was feeling feisty after a long day and started arguing about the dinner menu.”
“The debate turned feisty as the candidates began interrupting each other with increasingly sharp personal remarks.”
Usage
Usually describes a temporary mood or a personality trait that leads to frequent small conflicts.
Teaching tip
In this sense, the word is closer to 'cranky' or 'argumentative' than 'brave'.
Real-World Examples
“As Oxford Dictionaries points out, feisty is typically used for people “who [are] relatively small or weak,” who might not be expected to display a lot of energy or courage.” “He's a good lad around the place, he can be a bit feisty and a bit moody at times but we don't mind that at all,” “Sen. Elizabeth Warren is one feisty woman, according to the news media.” “A woman is only identified as “feisty” because she isn’t behaving in the way all women are expected to, and the same is true of “fierce”.” Etymology
1896, American, feist (“small, aggressive dog”) + -y; the term feist (now rare) itself originally meant “stink”, and earlier “fart”, from Middle English, from Old English, from Proto-Germanic, presumably from Proto-Indo-European – see feist for details.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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