lusty

adjective

ˈlə-stē 

lustier; lustiest

1

archaic : merry, joyous

2

: lustful

lusty passion

3

a

: full of strength and vitality : healthy, vigorous

a young, lusty, growing country

—Helen Harris

b

: hearty, robust

a lusty beef stew

c

: enthusiastic, rousing

a lusty rendition of the song

lustily

ˈlə-stə-lē 

adverb

lustiness

ˈlə-stē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• dynamic
• energetic
• flush
• gingery
• peppy
• red-blooded
• robust
• vigorous
• vital

Choose the Right Synonym for lusty

vigorous, energetic, strenuous, lusty, nervous mean having or showing great vitality and force.

vigorous further implies showing no signs of depletion or diminishing of freshness or robustness.

as vigorous as a youth half his age

energetic suggests a capacity for intense activity.

an energetic campaigner

strenuous suggests a preference for coping with the arduous or the challenging.

the strenuous life on an oil rig

lusty implies exuberant energy and capacity for enjoyment.

a lusty appetite for life

nervous suggests especially the forcibleness and sustained effectiveness resulting from mental vigor.

full of nervous energy

Examples of lusty in a Sentence

the lusty young rowers on the college crew team

a lusty spirit of adventure

Recent Examples on the Web

That’s lusty output for a mere 3.0-liter engine, literally sparked by the Nettuno’s calling card: pre-ignition chambers atop each cylinder that set off an initial charge of fuel and air, which jet into cylinders like little flamethrowers for more efficient and thorough combustion. —Lawrence Ulrich, Robb Report, 4 Mar. 2025

Country roots titan Charley Crockett (June 8), indie rock royalty Death Cab for Cutie (July 23), the lusty co-headline pairing of Shakey Graves and thrashgrassers Trampled by Turtles (Aug. 19) and tons more are all on deck (channel24sac.com). —Aaron Davis, Sacramento Bee, 1 Mar. 2025

The boat moves and creaks, the sails flutter in the wind, and the crew gives a lusty hurrah as the course is set for Singapore. —John Bleasdale, Variety, 21 Feb. 2025

This transporting, lusty book is a vacation essential. —Tia Williams, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for lusty

• crusty
• dusty
• gusty
• musty
• rusty
• trusty

Kids Definition

lusty

adjective

ˈləs-tē 

lustier; lustiest

: full of vitality : vigorous, robust

lustily

-tə-lē 

adverb

lustiness

-tē-nəs 

noun