gusto
C1Pronunciation
UK
- /ɡˈʌstəʊ/
US
- /ˈɡəsˌtoʊ/
Description
- enthusiasm
- enjoyment
- relish
- zest
- vigor
When you do something with gusto, you do it with lively energy and real enjoyment. Imagine a chef preparing a special dish—they do not just follow the recipe; they enjoy every step and bring real spirit to it. You might tackle a hard project with gusto or eat your favorite meal with gusto. The word comes from Italian, where it is linked to "taste," which fits the idea of deeply enjoying something.
"Gusto" is an expressive word for eager enjoyment and energetic spirit. It means more than simply liking something. It suggests doing it with life, warmth, and clear pleasure. Imagine an opera singer holding a high note with gusto or a gardener caring for roses with gusto. In both cases, you can feel the energy.
Originally derived from the Italian word for "taste" or "flavor," gusto carries the idea of savoring an experience, whether it is a delicious meal, a demanding task, or a lively conversation. It often suggests a cheerful, wholehearted way of doing something. You might say someone "throws themselves into their work with gusto," meaning they bring strong energy and enjoyment to it.
The word is most often seen in the phrase "with gusto," which describes how an action is done: "She approached the project with great gusto." It is a noun, but in everyday English it usually appears in that fixed phrase. It adds color to your speech and suggests wholehearted enjoyment. So when someone sings, works, laughs, or eats with gusto, they are doing it with strong feeling and lively pleasure.
Examples
- 1
Singing
The children sang the last verse with gusto.
Phrase
with gusto
with a lot of energy and enjoyment
- 2
New job
She threw herself into her new job with gusto.
- 3
Returning energy
After a few days of rest, he came back with renewed gusto.
Phrase
renewed gusto
new energy and enthusiasm
- 4
Losing enthusiasm
By the end of the long meeting, all his gusto had disappeared.
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- gustonoun
Forms
- gustoespluralnoun