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

These scenes could read like an undergraduate theater class assignment in the hands of a lesser actress, but Adams leans into the absurd wildness of it with gusto. —Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 8 Sep. 2024

The segment, produced by the L.A. Games organizers, saw Grammy-award winning superstar H.E.R. sang the U.S. National Anthem with gusto and Tom Cruise jumping off the roof of the stadium to take the Olympic flag from the hands of Team USA champion Simone Biles and L.A. mayor Karen Bass. —Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 12 Aug. 2024

And, truth be told, many parents are onboard with that assessment as well, judging by the number of moms and dads that could be seen singing along with gusto at Chase. —Jim Harrington, The Mercury News, 4 Aug. 2024

Starting with the appearance of Hugh Jackman's Logan/Wolverine in 2000's X-Men, the compelling, heart-wrenching (and, in Deadpool's case, hilarious) stories of both characters have been told onscreen with gusto over the past 24 years, to much acclaim and success. —Jen Juneau, Peoplemag, 25 July 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