# feisty

/ˈfaɪsti/ (US) · /fˈaɪsti/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/feisty
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. spirited and energetic

adjective · CEFR B2 · Informal

full of energy, confidence, and spirit.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. ready to argue

adjective · CEFR C1 · Informal

quick to get angry or start an argument.

For teachers: 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'.

## Examples

- The feisty kitten hissed at the large dog.
- Despite her small stature, she was a feisty negotiator who never backed down from a difficult deal.
- The local community put up a feisty defense against the developers, attending every council meeting to voice their concerns and protect the historic park.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.