gusto means enthusiasm; enjoyment, vigor. It carries an Arena rating of 1602, earned across 5 head-to-head judged battles.
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, gusto ranks #2,382 of 14,414 for Most Elegant Words, #2,574 of 14,448 for Funniest Words, #3,683 of 14,297 for Words That Escaped Their Books, #7,171 of 14,448 for Most Incisive Words.
gusto is pronounced /ˈɡʌstəʊ/.
Why “gusto” is a great word
Hearty, vigorous enjoyment or relish in an activity, often applied to both the pleasure taken in life and the spirited style with which an action is performed. From Italian *gusto* ("taste"), from Latin *gustus* ("a tasting, sense of taste"), from the Proto-Indo-European root *geus-* ("to taste, choose"). Unlike "zeal," which implies fervent passion for a cause, or "flair," which denotes a stylish aptitude, gusto is the unalloyed, physical pleasure found in the doing itself. It is the robust laugh that shakes the shoulders, the painter applying color with a bold, decisive stroke, the audible slurp of a perfectly dressed noodle—a conscious, bodily celebration of appetite fulfilled, the self's vote in favor of being alive.
Etymology
Borrowed from Italian gusto, from Latin gustus (“taste”). Doublet of cost (see Etymology 3 there).
noun
- Enthusiasm; enjoyment, vigor.“He sang with more gusto than talent.”
- An individual's fondness or liking of a particular flavour“Why should you force wine upon us? We are not all of your gusto.”
- The style in which a work is done, artistic style. (occasionally) the prevailing style in matters of taste.“The Designs..are of very mean Gusto.”
- Aesthetic appreciation.“Another, who has no Gusto of either sort, believes all those they call Virtuosi to be half-distracted.”
- (Of food) Flavour or savour“Melons of the richest gusto abound everywhere.”
Words closest in meaning
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