Gusto means enthusiastic enjoyment and energy. When you do something with gusto, you throw yourself into it wholeheartedly, showing real pleasure and vigor in what you're doing.

Picture a child diving into a swimming pool on the first day of summer, or a hungry person digging into a delicious meal. That's gusto: full-throttle enthusiasm without holding back. A singer performing with gusto belts out every note, an athlete playing with gusto gives everything they have, and a reader devouring a great book with gusto turns pages eagerly, completely absorbed.

The word comes from Italian, where it originally meant “taste.” You can see that connection: when you really enjoy something, you savor it fully, the way you'd savor your favorite food. Someone eating spaghetti with gusto twirls forkfuls with obvious delight and relish.

Gusto combines genuine enjoyment with high energy. You might finish your homework dutifully, but you'd tackle building a treehouse with gusto. The difference is the joy and eagerness you bring to the task. When you approach something with gusto, you're all in, loving every minute of it.