gusto

Meanings

1. 1noununcountable

   Lively and obvious enjoyment shown when doing something, such as eating, singing, or working.

   Grammar: Uncountable and almost always follows with: she sang with gusto.

   Patterns

   • with gusto
   • do something with gusto

   The children tucked into the pizza with gusto.

   He sang the old songs with great gusto.

   She attacked the weeding with gusto.

2. 2noununcountableliterary

   A strong appetite or zest for life or for something specific.

   Grammar: Can be used without with: gusto for life.

   Patterns

   • gusto for something

   He had a gusto for life that inspired everyone around him.

   The old chef still cooks with the same gusto.

   The team showed little gusto after the long journey.

Common combinations

with gusto

The crowd cheered with gusto.

eat with gusto

After the hike, we ate with gusto.

great gusto

She told the story with great gusto.

sing with gusto

The choir sang with gusto.

lack gusto

The performance lacked gusto.

Synonyms and how they differ

enthusiasm

Enthusiasm is the general word for eager interest, while gusto stresses visible, physical enjoyment.

zest

Zest suggests an energetic and fresh interest in life, and gusto suggests a more noisy or hearty enjoyment of an activity.

relish

Relish is quieter and more about savoring something, but gusto is more energetic.

vigor

Vigor refers to physical strength and energy, but gusto adds the idea of enjoyment.

Opposites

Word family

gustatory adjective

relating to the sense of taste

disgust noun

strong dislike, from the same root meaning taste

gustatorily adverb

in a way that relates to taste, very rare

Commonly confused: gusto or gust?

Practice

Make it your own

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

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