noun
moxie
MOK-see
Moxie (noun) means Courage, boldness, and force of character. Example: “It took real moxie to start a business with no savings.”
noun
1
Courage, boldness, and force of character.
"It took real moxie to start a business with no savings."
"She had the moxie to challenge her boss in front of the whole team."
How to use moxie
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishGuts, nerve, or spirited determination.
When to use it
Informal, mostly American English.
Common pairings
have the moxie
real moxie
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It took real _____ to start a business with no savings.
Etymology
From Moxie, the brand name of an American soft drink first sold in the 1880s that was marketed as giving people vigor and nerve — the sense of "courage" caught on from the advertising.
Class of 1880
moxie joined the language around 1880.
See the full Class of 1880 →
Related words
Rhymes for moxie
See all rhymes for moxie →Frequently asked questions
What does “moxie” mean?
The word “moxie” means courage, boldness, and force of character. In plain terms, guts, nerve, or spirited determination.
How do you pronounce “moxie”?
“Moxie” is pronounced MOK-see (/ˈmɒksi/ in IPA).
How do you use “moxie” in a sentence?
Here is “moxie” used in a sentence: “It took real moxie to start a business with no savings.”
What part of speech is “moxie”?
“Moxie” is a noun.
Where does the word “moxie” come from?
The word “moxie” dates back to around 1880. From Moxie, the brand name of an American soft drink first sold in the 1880s that was marketed as giving people vigor and nerve — the sense of "courage" caught on from the advertising.
