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

The mea culpa came after the broadcast cameras caught Boone grabbing his crotch with gusto and pulling down while making an o-shape with his mouth before taking a bow at the end of his his song. —Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 3 Feb. 2025

He was keyed up about giving the Chiefs the lead and wanted to spike the football with gusto. —Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 30 Jan. 2025

Sally squeezes a healthy serving of Hellmann’s mayonnaise onto her rye bread, and signals her approval by re-enacting her famous performance with gusto. —Erin Clements, People.com, 29 Jan. 2025

In recent weeks, the calls to end remote work have come back with gusto, and with authority. —Emma Goldberg, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2025

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