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.
Hong Kong — There’s a plucky little Qing Dynasty artifact that at first glance looks out of place among China’s many Forbidden City treasures. — Stephy Chung, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026 Hayden — plucky and determined and perfectionist, spending hours practicing her skating and utterly focused on getting every acting take spot-on and truthful. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2026 This was 1979, when Sonny was combing greater Seattle for prospects as a plucky young head coach at Montana State. — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 5 Aug. 2026 While Michael King struggled to finish off finicky and plucky Diamondbacks hitters, the real issue and the real worry was on the other side of the ball. — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Aug. 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 22 Aug. 2026.

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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

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