Gusto
What it means
Lively enthusiasm and vigorous enjoyment shown in doing something.
Reach for it when praising energetic engagement when force and pleasure are both visible
The children sang the final chorus with gusto.
Words to choose between 7
| playful |
|
|---|---|
| everyday | |
| warm | |
| professional | |
| formal | |
| literary |
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playful
Fits when informal speech needs extra force and liveliness
Careful Oomph is vague and can mean physical power rather than enjoyment.
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everyday
Fits when eager positive interest is the main quality
Careful Enthusiasm can be verbal or quiet, while gusto appears in vigorous action.
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warm
Fits when lively enjoyment gives an activity freshness
Careful Zest is lighter and can be sustained without forceful expression.
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professional
Fits when active force or pace is the observable fact
Careful Energy can be anxious or dutiful and need not include pleasure.
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formal
Fits when someone takes marked pleasure in a particular action
Careful Relish can sound cruel when the action involves conflict or another person's loss.
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literary
Fits when intense passionate feeling suits elevated prose
Careful Ardor is more solemn and can sound romantic.
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literary
Fits when energetic style and flair define the performance
Careful Verve concerns execution more than the person's enjoyment.
Opposites 3
- apathy
- listlessness
- reluctance
Common phrases 3
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with gusto
The choir performed the comic finale with gusto and precise timing.
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great gusto
She attacked the restoration with great gusto but paused for expert advice.
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renewed gusto
After the break, the volunteers returned with renewed gusto.
Usage notes
Keep in mind
Gusto should not be used to praise overwhelming volume, rushed work, or disregard for other people's pace.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Vealhurl, Southern England accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updated