【Spirited】 , 【high-spirited】 , 【mettlesome】 , 【spunky】 , 【fiery】 , 【peppery】 , 【gingery】 mean having or manifesting a high degree of vitality, spirit, and daring.
【Spirited】 implies not only fullness of life but such signs of excellent physical, or sometimes mental, health as ardor, animation, energy, and enthusiasm; the term's implications vary widely, but it usually carries a suggestion of vigorous vitality, exaltation, or stimulation.
【High-spirited】 can add to 【spirited】 a strong suggestion of dashing vigor and even of a temperamental unwillingness to accept guidance and control.
【Mettlesome】 differs little from 【high-spirited】 except in its tendency to stress fearlessness and vigor more than restiveness.
【Spunky】 often implies qualities similar to those suggested by 【high-spirited】 and 【mettlesome】 but it carries a stronger implication of quickness in taking fire and of an incapacity for being downed or daunted; also, the term is often applied to unlooked-for courage in persons or animals.
【Fiery】 , 【peppery】 , and 【gingery】 are used as synonyms of the preceding terms when one prefers a more concrete term.
【Fiery】 , suggesting the heat of flame or fire, implies impetuousness, passionateness, or sometimes irascibility in addition to spiritedness.
【Peppery】 adds to 【spirited】 suggestions of a hotness or pungency characteristic of pepper and often distinctively connotes asperity or excitability.
【Gingery】 carries a heightened suggestion of a zest, spiciness, or snap associated with ginger.
