plucky

[pluhk-ee]

adjective

pluckier, pluckiest 

1. having or showing pluck or courage; brave.

   The drowning swimmer was rescued by a plucky schoolboy.

   Synonyms: spirited, spunky, cheerful, determined, courageous

plucky

/ ˈplʌkɪ /

adjective

1. having or showing courage in the face of difficulties, danger, etc

Other Word Forms

• pluckily adverb
• pluckiness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of plucky¹

First recorded in 1820–30; pluck + -y ¹

Example Sentences

How many times have we cheered on the ragtag baseball team, the minor league hopeful, the plucky semi-pro squad that emerges from the shadows with a miraculous ascent?

Read more on Salon

Every argument between Brie’s plucky elementary school teacher, Millie, and Franco’s wannabe indie rocker, Tim, is tinged with an innate gravity that wouldn’t be present if it weren’t for the stars’ real-life relationship.

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She was the plucky underdog who, through sheer grit and a knack for a good headline, pushed her Ultimo bra concept onto the marketplace and into the high street's biggest shops.

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Here are a few pictures of those plucky people, who helped raise some £40,000 for Essex charities.

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Public opinion may well reward a plucky fight for the soul of the nation — and if it doesn’t, then the republic was already lost.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• courageous 
• gutsy 
• heroic 
• spirited 
• spunky 
• valiant