racy

1 of 2

adjective (1)

ˈrā-sē 

racier; raciest

1

a

: full of zest or vigor

b

: having a strongly marked quality : piquant

a racy flavor

c

: risqué, suggestive

racy jokes

2

: having the distinctive quality of something in its original or most characteristic form

racily

ˈrā-sə-lē 

adverb

raciness

ˈrā-sē-nəs 

noun

racy

2 of 2

adjective (2)

racier; raciest

: having a body or shape that is suited for racing

a racy dog

a car with racy lines

Synonyms of racy

Adjective (1)

• lively
• animated
• energetic
• animate
• active
• brisk

Choose the Right Synonym for racy

pungent, piquant, poignant, racy mean sharp and stimulating to the mind or the senses.

pungent implies a sharp, stinging, or biting quality especially of odors.

a cheese with a pungent odor

piquant suggests a power to whet the appetite or interest through tartness or mild pungency.

a piquant sauce

poignant suggests something is sharply or piercingly effective in stirring one's emotions.

felt a poignant sense of loss

racy implies having a strongly characteristic natural quality fresh and unimpaired.

spontaneous, racy prose

Examples of racy in a Sentence

Adjective (1)

vivid writing and a racy plot that keeps readers turning the pages

a raunchy comedy with language that was a little too racy for an eight-year-old child

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Riesling While best recognized for its racier, linear expressions, riper, semisweet Auslese or full-bodied dry styles can highlight Riesling’s more complex, textural, and savory forms. —Anna Lee C. Iijima, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Nov. 2025

Yet for all the racy effusion, the point wasn’t so much self-exposure as self-expression. —Victor J. Blue, Harpers Magazine, 23 Nov. 2025

The school teacher wants to clear her good name after a racy video has surfaced with a woman who bears a resemblance so strong that the school’s administrator has placed her on leave. —Stephen Saito, Variety, 23 Nov. 2025

So racy on the silky palate, it is accented by foresty and coastal notes of wild fennel and bay leaf. —Laura Ness, Mercury News, 23 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective (1)

race entry 1

Adjective (2)

race entry 2

First Known Use

Adjective (1)

circa 1650, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective (2)

1841, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for racy

• lacy
• conjugacy

Kids Definition

racy

1 of 2 adjective

ˈrā-sē 

racier; raciest

1

: full of energy or keen enjoyment

2

: slightly indecent or improper

racy jokes

racily

-sə-lē 

adverb

raciness

-sē-nəs 

noun

racy

2 of 2 adjective

racier; raciest

: being long-bodied and lean