feisty

/ˈfaɪsti/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈfaɪsti/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈfī-stē/ (ame, mw)

feisty — adjective

  • feistypositive
  • feistiercomparative
  • feistiestsuperlative

1. having a strong, lively, and determined character; willing to argue or fight for

1.形容詞B2
釋義

having a strong, lively, and determined character; willing to argue or fight for what one believes in, especially when facing opposition.

例句

Mariana gave a feisty defense of her research, answering every question with confidence.

feisty + noun (defense, speech)

Despite his small size, the feisty little dog chased the larger dog away from the yard.

同義詞
  • spirited

    more general, less combative — describes lively energy without the fighting edge

  • spunky

    more informal, purely positive — emphasises courage and liveliness

  • plucky

    slightly old-fashioned — brave determination in the face of hardship, often for underdogs

反義詞
  • timid

    lacking courage or confidence

  • meek

    quiet, gentle, and unwilling to argue

用法筆記

Often describes a person (or animal) who appears small or mild but shows surprising determination and willingness to fight for a cause. Carries a generally admiring tone.

常見錯誤

❌She is a very feisty person, always yelling and insulting others.
✅She is a feisty person, always arguing passionately for what she believes in.
💡Feisty suggests spirited determination, not hostile aggression.

2. becoming upset or angry very quickly, often about small things.

2.形容詞B2
釋義

becoming upset or angry very quickly, often about small things.

例句

Tomoki gets feisty whenever someone criticises his cooking, even over tiny mistakes.

get feisty about [topic]

Coach Guillermo became feisty after the referee made a call he clearly disagreed with.

同義詞
  • irritable

    neutral register, broader — easily annoyed without the fighting edge

  • touchy

    informal — oversensitive about a particular topic

  • quarrelsome

    more formal — describes someone who often starts arguments

反義詞
  • easygoing

    relaxed and not easily upset

  • placid

    calm and peaceful, not easily made angry

用法筆記

Distinguish from the SPIRITED AND DETERMINED sense — this sense emphasises quick, irritable reactions rather than energetic confidence. Context usually signals which meaning is intended.

常見錯誤

❌He gets feisty every morning before his coffee.
✅He gets irritable every morning before his coffee.
💡Feisty implies a fighting or argumentative reaction, not just general bad mood.