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

Adjective (1)

• active
• airy
• animate
• animated
• bouncing
• brisk
• energetic
• frisky
• gay
• jaunty
• jazzy
• kinetic
• lively
• mettlesome
• peppy
• perky
• pert
• pizzazzy
• pizazzy
• snappy
• spanking
• sparky
• spirited
• sprightly
• springy
• vital
• vivacious
• zippy

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

During a Today show appearance last month, Robert revealed his family’s reaction to his racy campaign. —Rachel McRady, People.com, 5 June 2025

Love Island as a concept is not dissimilar from a racy boy-girl party for eighth-graders, and every challenge is some variation on spin the bottle. —Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 4 June 2025

Months after ads for lactation cookies by the pregnant cookbook author Molly Baz were pulled down from Times Square for being too racy, Bobbie put a postpartum Ms. Baz back up there with her newborn latched to one breast and a can of its formula in one hand. —Alisha Haridasani Gupta, New York Times, 31 May 2025

The 2024 Neely Grüner Veltliner, Block Verde, is racy yet satisfying, with a perfect mix of green apple, stone fruit and lime. —Laura Ness, Mercury News, 13 May 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