Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

gusto

American  
[guhs-toh] / ˈgʌs toʊ /

noun

plural

gustoes

  1. hearty or keen enjoyment, as in eating or drinking, or in action or speech in general.

    to dance with gusto.
    Synonyms:
    fervor, spirit, zest, relish, delight, enthusiasm

  2. individual taste or liking.

    The boy is an imaginative charmer, with a gusto for storytelling.

  3. Archaic. artistic style or taste.

gusto British  
/ ˈɡʌstəʊ /

noun

  1. vigorous enjoyment, zest, or relish, esp in the performance of an action

    the aria was sung with great gusto
"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of gusto

First recorded in 1620–30; from Italian, from Latin gustus; see gust 2

Explanation

You can do many things with gusto, or hearty enthusiasm, whether it's eating a steak, playing table tennis, or cheering on your favorite team. Some people live their whole lives with gusto. Since the 17th century, gusto has been helping English speakers describe things that are done with vigor and enthusiasm. Gusto is Italian for “taste,” and its Italian origins are evident both in its spelling, with its “o” ending, and its sense of “a taste for life." Use this word to describe vigorous activities — you probably wouldn’t "take a nap with gusto," even if you really enjoy napping. You're more likely to cheer on your favorite team or dance the tango with gusto.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing gusto

100 Words Every Middle Schooler Should Know

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

The Vocabulary.com Top 1000

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

Essential Academic Vocabulary for Middle School Students, List 8

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Only 39, he took up the role with gusto, launching into an anti-crime drive that proved popular with the electorate but not enough to keep his head off the chopping block.

From Barron's • Feb. 17, 2026

Victory over New Zealand was the centrepiece of England's autumn, but the subsequent sacking of Scott Robertson suggested that the All Blacks were not taking up tools with their usual gusto.

From BBC • Feb. 14, 2026

Rep. Jamie Raskin unpacks the AG Pam Bondi hearing with gusto; Trump remakes DC in his own image; and the complexities of patriotism at the Olympics.

From Slate • Feb. 12, 2026

He identifies U.S. interests as he goes and pursues them with an unrestrained gusto.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 6, 2026

I took it to be a signal to resume my playing, which I did with gusto.

From "Crispin: The Cross of Lead" by Avi

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.