feisty

Definition

Tenacious, energetic, spunky.

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.

Example Sentences

• "spirited and feisty"
• "She gave a feisty response during the debate."
• "The feisty puppy barked at everyone."