plucky

adjective

ˈplə-kē How to pronounce plucky (audio)
pluckier; pluckiest
Synonyms of pluckynext
: spirited, brave
pluckily
ˈplə-kə-lē How to pronounce plucky (audio)
adverb
pluckiness
ˈplə-kē-nəs How to pronounce plucky (audio)
noun

Examples of plucky in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
And although Etna’s narrative voice—vulnerable, curious, endearingly direct—inclines the reader to envision the pluckiest good boy, humanity’s violence deprives him of a gentle youth. — Rachel Vorona Cote, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026 California sewed up 2nd place, amazingly, in the group with a win over the plucky Miami team. — Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 The story of a plucky Canadian station in the golden era of alternative radio is headed to PBS. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 21 July 2026 Thirteen consecutive July victories have lifted the plucky Boston Red Sox into playoff position two weeks before the trade deadline. — Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 20 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for plucky

Word History

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of plucky was in 1840

Rhymes for plucky

See All Rhymes for plucky

Browse Nearby Words

pluck up (the) courage
plucky
pluff
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Plucky.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plucky. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

plucky

adjective
ˈplək-ē How to pronounce plucky (audio)
pluckier; pluckiest
: courageous, brave

More from Merriam-Webster on plucky

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for plucky

Nglish: Translation of plucky for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All