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

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 notes

In 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.

· First attested 1880

Class of 1880 moxie joined the language around 1880.

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Synonyms

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sand guts backbone grit gumption

Related words

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Rhymes for moxie

pie die lie tie sie vie hie i.e. brie movie eerie bogie

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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.

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