Zesty means full of lively energy and flavor. When you bite into a lemon or lime, that sharp, tangy brightness you taste is zesty. A zesty salsa has bold flavors that wake up your taste buds: spicy peppers, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice all working together.

The word also describes people and experiences with that same kind of spark and liveliness. A person with a zesty personality brings energy and enthusiasm to everything they do. They tell stories with enthusiasm, jump into new activities with energy, and make ordinary moments more exciting. A zesty conversation moves quickly and keeps everyone engaged. A zesty performance on stage crackles with energy that pulls the audience in.

Cooks use lemon zest to add punch to cookies and cakes. When something or someone is zesty, they bring that extra kick of liveliness that makes things more interesting and fun.