pluck
pluhk
Pluck (verb) means to pull something out or off with a quick, sharp motion. Example: “She plucked a stray hair from her sleeve.”
verb
1
To pull something out or off with a quick, sharp motion.
"She plucked a stray hair from her sleeve."
"He plucked an apple from the tree."
2
To remove feathers from a bird before cooking it.
"The butcher plucked and cleaned the chicken."
3
To sound a string on an instrument by pulling and releasing it with the fingers.
"She plucked the guitar strings softly."
noun
1
Courage and determination in a difficult situation.
"It took real pluck to stand up to the whole board."
How to use pluck
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo pull something out sharply, or (as a noun) spirited courage in a tough spot.
Common pairings
pluck up courage
pluck an eyebrow
show pluck
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Word forms
- Plural
- plucks
- Third person singular
- plucks
- Past tense
- plucked, pluckt
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She _____ a stray hair from her sleeve.
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.
Related words
Rhymes for pluck
See all rhymes for 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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