mettle
Mettle (noun) means Courage, strength of character, and determination in the face of difficulty. Example: “The rookie proved her mettle during the final, high-pressure match.”
How to use mettle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishInner toughness and courage, especially when things get hard.
Don't confuse with metal (the material) — mettle refers only to character and courage.
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The rookie proved her _____ during the final, high-pressure match.
Etymology
A figurative spelling variant of metal, dating back to the 1500s; the two words were once interchangeable before splitting into separate meanings in the 1700s.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for mettle
See all rhymes for mettle →Frequently asked questions
What does “mettle” mean?
The word “mettle” means courage, strength of character, and determination in the face of difficulty. In plain terms, inner toughness and courage, especially when things get hard.
How do you pronounce “mettle”?
“Mettle” is pronounced MEH-tuhl (/ˈmɛtəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “mettle” in a sentence?
Here is “mettle” used in a sentence: “The rookie proved her mettle during the final, high-pressure match.”
What part of speech is “mettle”?
“Mettle” is a noun.
Where does the word “mettle” come from?
The word “mettle” dates back to around 1500. A figurative spelling variant of metal, dating back to the 1500s; the two words were once interchangeable before splitting into separate meanings in the 1700s.