Racy
/ˈreɪ.si/noun
Having a lively, slightly shocking, or suggestive quality.
Did you know?The word once meant strongly flavored or full of distinctive character, and its older sense is tied to the idea of a “race” or stock, not just speed or scandal.
Etymological Timeline
Late Middle English
English
racy
“Having a strong, characteristic flavor or quality; full of vigor or spirit.”
16th Century
English
race
“A stock, lineage, or breed; a group sharing common descent.”
Old French
Old French
race
“Lineage, breed, or inherited kind.”
Late Latin
Latin
radix
“Root.”
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*wrād- / *rad-
“Root, branch, or something that grows from a source.”