pluck

[ pluhk ]

/ plʌk /

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See synonyms for: pluck / plucked on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to pull off or out from the place of growth, as fruit, flowers, feathers, etc.: to pluck feathers from a chicken.

to give a pull at; grasp: to pluck someone's sleeve.

to pull with sudden force or with a jerk.

to pull or move by force (often followed by away, off, or out).

to remove the feathers, hair, etc., from by pulling: to pluck a chicken.

Slang. to rob, plunder, or fleece.

to sound (the strings of a musical instrument) by pulling at them with the fingers or a plectrum.

verb (used without object)

to pull or tug sharply (often followed by at).

to snatch (often followed by at).

noun

act of plucking; a tug.

the heart, liver, and lungs, especially of an animal used for food.

courage or resolution in the face of difficulties.

Verb Phrases

pluck up,

to eradicate; uproot.
to summon up one's courage; rouse one's spirits: He always plucked up at the approach of danger. She was a stranger in the town, but, plucking up her courage, she soon made friends.

OTHER WORDS FOR pluck

2 tug.

3 yank, tear, rip.

12 bravery, boldness, determination, mettle, nerve.

See synonyms for pluck on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of pluck

before 1000; Middle English plukken (v.), Old English pluccian, cognate with Middle Low German plucken; akin to Dutch plukken,German pflücken

OTHER WORDS FROM pluck

plucker, nounhalf-plucked, adjectiveun·plucked, adjectivewell-plucked, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use pluck in a sentence

His big break came in 1992 when an aging cardinal plucked him from his outback and persuaded the Vatican to make him a bishop.
How Pope Francis Became the World’s BFF|Jason Berry|December 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He plucked them and flushed the feathers carefully, so as not to block up the toilets and draw attention.
Tales of a Jailhouse Gourmet: How I learned to Cook in Prison|Daniel Genis|June 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“Umm…they maintain themselves,” she responded when asked whether or not they were threaded, plucked, or waxed.
Donald Sterling’s Former Mistress Makes the “Paparazzi Shield” Chic; Cara Delevingne Has Self-Grooming Eyebrows|The Fashion Beast Team|May 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She was plucked from relative obscurity to star alongside Billy Bob Thornton and Martin Freeman in the TV adaptation.
Meet ‘Fargo’ Breakout Star Allison Tolman|Kevin Fallon|April 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST

As he spoke he plucked a solitary gold-fish squirming and twisting out of its globe.
Read ‘The King in Yellow,’ the ‘True Detective’ Reference That’s the Key to the Show|Robert W. Chambers|February 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Edna plucked all the bright flowers she could find, and went into the house with them, she and the little dog.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin
She plucked and tore at her arms for a little time; but I held her hands, and she soon dropped off.
Oliver Twist, Vol. II (of 3)|Charles Dickens
Woe to you if you fall into his clutches; before you come out of them you will be plucked, veritably flayed.
Friend Mac Donald|Max O'Rell
The newsdealer was looking the other way as he made change so Lamb plucked back his nickel.
Hooded Detective, Volume III No. 2, January, 1942|Various
In a sudden, blind choler, she swept round, plucked the dagger from Tressan's belt and flung herself upon the treacherous captain.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini

British Dictionary definitions for pluck

pluck

/ (plʌk) /

verb

(tr) to pull off (feathers, fruit, etc) from (a fowl, tree, etc)

(when intr, foll by at) to pull or tug

(tr; foll by off, away, etc) archaic to pull (something) forcibly or violently (from something or someone)

(tr) to sound (the strings) of (a musical instrument) with the fingers, a plectrum, etc

(tr) another word for strip 1 (def. 7)

(tr) slang to fleece or swindle

noun

courage, usually in the face of difficulties or hardship

a sudden pull or tug

the heart, liver, and lungs, esp of an animal used for food

Derived forms of pluck

plucker, noun

Word Origin for pluck

Old English pluccian, plyccan; related to German pflücken

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

pluck

OTHER WORDS FOR pluck

Origin of pluck

OTHER WORDS FROM pluck

Words related to pluck

How to use pluck in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for pluck

Derived forms of pluck

Word Origin for pluck