Definition

Adjective: 1. Full of zest, vigor, or spirited character: Describes something lively, energetic, and engaging, often in a way that is slightly unconventional or piquant. 2. Slightly improper or risqué; suggestive of sexual impropriety: Describes something, especially a story, joke, or style, that is mildly indecent or exciting in a sexual way. 3. Having a strong, distinctive, and pleasant flavor: Describes food or drink, especially wine, that has a rich, full, and vigorous taste.

Usage Examples

• Adjective (Zestful/Vigorous):
  • She writes with a racy and engaging style that keeps readers hooked.
  • The novel is known for its racy dialogue and fast-paced plot.
• Adjective (Risqué/Suggestive):
  • He told a few racy jokes at the party.
  • The magazine published a racy story about the actor's private life.
• Adjective (Flavorful):
  • This is a wonderfully racy wine with notes of dark fruit.
  • The sauce had a racy flavor that complemented the meat perfectly.

Advanced Usage

• "racy of the soil": (literary) Having the distinctive, authentic character or qualities of a particular place or origin.
  • The author's prose is racy of the soil, capturing the unique dialect and spirit of the region.

Variants and Related Words

• Racily (adverb): In a racy manner.
  • The story was racily told.
• Raciness (noun): The quality of being racy.
  • The raciness of the gossip made it spread quickly.

Synonyms

• For zestful/vigorous: Spirited, lively, vibrant, piquant, zestful.
• For risqué: Risqué, suggestive, spicy, bawdy, ribald, naughty.
• For flavorful: Robust, full-bodied, rich, flavorful, pungent.

Idioms and Phrases

• None directly formed with "racy" as a single-word verb. The word itself often functions adjectivally within phrases (e.g., a racy tale, a racy aroma).

Adjective

1. designed or suitable for competing in a race
2. suggestive of sexual impropriety
   • a blue movie
   • blue jokes
   • he skips asterisks and gives you the gamy details
   • a juicy scandal
   • a naughty wink
   • naughty words
   • racy anecdotes
   • a risque story
   • spicy gossip
3. marked by richness and fullness of flavor
   • a rich ruby port
   • full-bodied wines
   • a robust claret
   • the robust flavor of fresh-brewed coffee
4. full of zest or vigor
   • a racy literary style