Synonyms

right stuff

American

noun

Informal.

Usually the right stuff the necessary or ideal qualities or capabilities, as courage, confidence, dependability, toughness, or daring.

Etymology

Origin of right stuff

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

You’re doing all the right stuff by yourself, and you’re among professionals, medical professionals, not Yahoos, and you can still have someone else make a mistake and your life is gone.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 13, 2026

If he was made of the right stuff, then how come Martin benched him against St Mirren last Sunday, against Brugge last Tuesday, against Alloa before that and against Dundee before that?

From BBC • Aug. 28, 2025

Eco-labels, while not perfect, are still a good indicator that you are buying the right stuff.

From Salon • Apr. 30, 2023

While the Dolphins and Ravens couldn’t pull off upsets, Daniel Jones and the New York Giants had the right stuff against the Minnesota Vikings.

From Washington Times • Jan. 16, 2023

On the other hand, the same thing is possible in life, if only we’d start paying attention to the right stuff.

From "Please Ignore Vera Dietz" by A.S. King

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023