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 adverb
raciness 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
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
Turbine Skull steel case/blue version, $5,000; Turbine Skull black PVD steel case/black version, $5,250. Learn More Photo : TAG Heuer TAG Heuer: Monaco Chronograph Racing Green TAG Heuer just gave the Monaco Chronograph a racy update. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 27 Sep. 2024 Below, Lila Grace’s momma, Kate Moss, upholds the racy see-through move in a tulle dress, but tops it with a fine, formal non-see-through black blazer. Guy Martin, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024 But one of Zeta-Jones's posts stole the show - a racy portrait of the actress staring at herself in a bathroom mirror, wearing only a strappy pair of high heels. Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 25 Sep. 2024 She was drawn to a racy look by Ann Demeulemeester—a long white skirt with a top comprising a single white feather. Jennifer Wilson, The New Yorker, 16 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for racy 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'racy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of racy was circa 1650

Dictionary Entries Near racy

Cite this Entry

“Racy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/racy. Accessed 16 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

racy

1 of 2 adjective
racier; raciest
1
: full of energy or keen enjoyment
2
: slightly indecent or improper
racy jokes
racily adverb
raciness noun

racy

2 of 2 adjective
racier; raciest
: being long-bodied and lean

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