racy

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   lively, vigorous, and full of distinctive character, especially in speech or writing

   The travel diary combines sharp observation with a racy narrative style.

2. 2
   adj

   slightly indecent or sexually suggestive

   The newspaper rejected the advertisement because its humor was too racy.

Formed in the seventeenth century from race in an older sense "distinctive flavor or character" + -y. The idea broadened from full-flavored wine to vigorous style, and later to material considered piquant or sexually suggestive.

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