noun

pluck

Courage and determination in facing difficulty.

The young climber shows pluck by trying again after the setback.

Etymology

Pluck once named an animal's internal organs removed together. It developed the figurative sense of courage, drawing on the old association between inner organs and character.

More examples

  • She admired his pluck.
  • They faced the challenge with pluck.
  • It took real pluck to speak up.

Forms

pluck

plucky adjective — showing courage and determination

Similar words

courage
The broader word for facing fear or difficulty.
grit
Emphasizes sustained determination through hardship.