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

Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Another racy look finds Ice Spice stripping down to her lingerie covered by black fishnet tights with strappy Wang high heels. Michael Saponara, Billboard, 7 Mar. 2024 The single’s artwork itself shows a somewhat racy image of a couple hooking up in the back of a pickup truck driving down the highway. Ethan Millman, Rolling Stone, 1 Mar. 2024 The latest player just happens to be the raciest of Rovers. Lawrence Ulrich, Robb Report, 20 Feb. 2024 Drew Barrymore is sharing a racy recommendation with her fans. Liza Esquibias, Peoplemag, 29 Feb. 2024 In a video posted on Instagram on Sunday, which was shared by internet personality Carter Gregory, Kardashian was also seen modeling a racy Prada bralette and matching miniskirt ahead over the Super Bowl weekend. Jordan Greene, Peoplemag, 12 Feb. 2024 Red, white and metallic looks dominated the carpet, in addition to racy plunging gowns with cutouts or high slits. Maane Khatchatourian, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2024 Continue reading here… UNDER THE KNIFE - Paulina Porizkova bares deep surgery scars in a racy snap after being hospitalized for a double hip replacement. Fox News Staff, Fox News, 3 Feb. 2024 During the second part of TLC's Christine & David’s Wedding Special on Sunday, the Sister Wives star, surprised guests and her new husband David Woolley with a racy dance during the couple’s Moab, Utah, nuptials back in October, 2023. Emily Strohm, Peoplemag, 15 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'racy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 19 Mar. 2024.

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

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