racier; raciest
1
a
: full of zest or vigor
b
: having a strongly marked quality : piquant
a racy flavor
c
: risqué, suggestive
racy jokes
2
: having the distinctive quality of something in its original or most characteristic form
racily adverb
raciness noun

racy

2 of 2

adjective (2)

racier; raciest
: having a body or shape that is suited for racing
a racy dog
a car with racy lines
Choose the Right Synonym for racy

pungent, piquant, poignant, racy mean sharp and stimulating to the mind or the senses.

pungent implies a sharp, stinging, or biting quality especially of odors.

a cheese with a pungent odor

piquant suggests a power to whet the appetite or interest through tartness or mild pungency.

a piquant sauce

poignant suggests something is sharply or piercingly effective in stirring one's emotions.

felt a poignant sense of loss

racy implies having a strongly characteristic natural quality fresh and unimpaired.

spontaneous, racy prose

Examples of racy in a Sentence

Adjective (1) vivid writing and a racy plot that keeps readers turning the pages a raunchy comedy with language that was a little too racy for an eight-year-old child
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Others wondered how anyone could be surprised at the racy segments considering the content of her songs. Abby Aguirre, Vogue, 11 Feb. 2025 At that time, exchanges that were shared on Instagram and WhatsApp seemed to suggest the designer was trying to coax racy pictures from the youth. Rosemary Feitelberg, WWD, 7 Feb. 2025 West also has no problem flaunting his lady’s assets, taking to Instagram last week with a racy snap of Censori wearing a tiny bikini that covered her nipples and nothing else. Jessica Bennett, VIBE.com, 2 Feb. 2025 The 55-year-old wore a lace bustier beneath her jacket, prompting online criticism calling it racy and inappropriate for the official ceremony. Sam Woodward, USA TODAY, 20 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for racy 

Word History

Etymology

Adjective (1)

race entry 1

Adjective (2)

race entry 2

First Known Use

Adjective (1)

circa 1650, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective (2)

1841, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of racy was circa 1650

Dictionary Entries Near racy

Cite this Entry

“Racy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/racy. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

racy

1 of 2 adjective
racier; raciest
1
: full of energy or keen enjoyment
2
: slightly indecent or improper
racy jokes
racily adverb
raciness noun

racy

2 of 2 adjective
racier; raciest
: being long-bodied and lean

More from Merriam-Webster on racy

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