pluck

21 synonyms for pluck, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Verb — To pull something out or off with a quick, sharp motion.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

pick pull roll rob tear hook

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

hustle soak plume

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

fleece tweak cull plunk gazump deplume pull off pick off displume gutsiness surcharge pluckiness

Synonyms by Meaning

1. verb

To pull something out or off with a quick, sharp motion.

“She plucked a stray hair from her sleeve.”

pick pull roll rob tear hook hustle soak plume fleece tweak cull plunk gazump deplume pull off pick off displume gutsiness surcharge

2. noun

Courage and determination in a difficult situation.

“It took real pluck to stand up to the whole board.”

gutsiness pluckiness

How to use pluck

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

pluck up courage pluck an eyebrow show pluck

Etymology

From Old English "pluccian", meaning to pull or tear away; the noun sense of "courage" grew out of an older meaning of "heart and lungs" — the organs pulled from a butchered animal, with "heart" coming to stand for bravery.

Full origin of pluck →

Frequently asked questions

What does “pluck” mean?

The word “pluck” means to pull something out or off with a quick, sharp motion. In plain terms, to pull something out sharply, or (as a noun) spirited courage in a tough spot.

How do you pronounce “pluck”?

“Pluck” is pronounced pluhk (/plʌk/ in IPA).

How do you use “pluck” in a sentence?

Here is “pluck” used in a sentence: “She plucked a stray hair from her sleeve.”

What part of speech is “pluck”?

Depending on how it is used, “pluck” can be a verb and a noun.

Where does the word “pluck” come from?

The word “pluck” comes from Old English.

Is “pluck” a common word?

“Pluck” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

How many meanings does “pluck” have?

“Pluck” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to pull something out or off with a quick, sharp motion.

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pick pull roll rob tear hook hustle soak plume fleece tweak surcharge

Nearby words

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