gusto

noun

gus·​to ˈgə-(ˌ)stō 

plural gustoes

1

a

: an individual or special taste

different gustoes

b

: enthusiastic and vigorous enjoyment or appreciation

described the adventure with great gusto

c

: vitality marked by an abundance of vigor and enthusiasm

could not match the gusto of their competitors

2

archaic : artistic style

Synonyms

• beans
• bounce
• brio
• dash
• drive
• dynamism
• energy
• esprit
• gas
• get-up-and-go
• ginger
• go
• hardihood
• juice
• life
• moxie
• oomph
• pep
• punch
• sap
• snap
• starch
• verve
• vigor
• vim
• vinegar
• vitality
• zing
• zip

Examples of gusto in a Sentence

I don't have the gusto to go on a strenuous hike right now.

Recent Examples on the Web

And the weather will continue with gusto this week: A strong clipper storm — a system that forms in Canada and moves across the Great Lakes into the United States — is set to move in from Quebec on Thursday, bringing heavy snow to Michigan, the National Weather Service said. —Patrick Smith, NBC News, 3 Dec. 2024

The charismatic composition — performed with gusto by Dwayne Johnson — is indeed worth shouting about, especially on the heels of the beloved numbers of the 2016 movie, which were written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mark Mancina and Opetaia Foa‘i. —Ashley Lee, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2024

Often lauded as one of the most comfortable entry-level wetsuits on the market, the Sprint is made with smooth, Yamamoto neoprene throughout, with stretchy, oversized arm gussets below the shoulders to attack big strokes with gusto. —Emily Pennington, Outside Online, 22 Nov. 2024

Take, for instance, her fondness for full-length coats with tiny bottoms, her love of monochromatic dressing, or her willingness to try mens suiting with gusto. —Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 22 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Italian, from Latin gustus, past participle

First Known Use

1620, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

gusto

noun

gus·​to ˈgəs-tō 

: keen enjoyment or appreciation

eat with gusto