Zesty

Zesty describes someone or something that feels lively, exciting, or full of energy. While the word itself has existed for decades in standard English, its slang use picked up again in the 2020s as social media users began using "zesty" to label anything with extra flair, personality, or chaotic charm. People may also use it in the LGBTQ community to label someone as flamboyant or effeminate.

There is no clear origin of the slang term. TikTok, meme culture, and online comment sections helped push the term back into everyday speech, where it's now used to hype up energetic friends, dramatic moments, and over-the-top behavior.

Younger users (especially Gen Z and Gen Alpha) throw around “zesty” in playful, lighthearted contexts, but you'll also hear it in group chats, gaming lobbies, and even casual workplace banter. Depending on the tone, it can be a compliment ("you're fun today") or a joking nudge ("you're being a lot right now").