frisky

Meanings

1. 1adjectivecomparable

   Full of energy and playfulness, often moving about in a lively way, especially of young animals.

   Grammar: Gradable: friskier, friskiest; often follows be or feel.

   Patterns

   • feel frisky
   • a frisky puppy

   The frisky kittens chased each other around the room.

   The horse felt frisky on the cool morning.

   A frisky breeze blew the papers off the desk.

2. 2adjectivecomparablehumorous

   Cheerfully flirtatious or eager for romance in a light-hearted way.

   Grammar: Used mainly of adults in a humorous way: feeling frisky.

   Patterns

   • feel frisky
   • get a bit frisky

   The old couple were feeling frisky on their anniversary.

   He gave her a frisky wink across the room.

   A bit of music made everyone friskier.

Word forms

Common combinations

feel frisky

The dog felt frisky after its long nap.

a frisky puppy

A frisky puppy bounded across the lawn.

frisky mood

Spring put the whole farm in a frisky mood.

get frisky

The foals got frisky as the sun came out.

frisky horse

The rider struggled with a frisky horse.

Synonyms and how they differ

playful

Playful is gentler and describes a fun-loving manner, while frisky suggests bursts of physical energy.

lively

Lively can describe people or events of any kind, but frisky is especially used for young animals.

spirited

Spirited suggests courage and determination as well as energy, whereas frisky is lighter and more playful.

skittish

Skittish means nervous and easily startled, so it differs from frisky, which is cheerful.

Opposites

Word family

frisk verb

to move about playfully, or to search someone for hidden items

friskily adverb

in a lively playful way

friskiness noun

playful energy

Commonly confused: frisky or risky?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “frisky”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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