WordGarden.iopluck
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /plˈʌk/
US
- /ˈplək/
Meanings
Verb
to pull something off or out quickly, especially with the fingers
to play or sound a string by pulling it
Noun
courageous spirit or determination
Beyond the definition
To pluck something means to pull it out quickly, often by hand. You might pluck feathers from a chicken, pull a flower from the ground, or pluck a string on a guitar to make a clear note. It can also mean to choose someone or something from a group, like a winner being plucked from a crowd. In the phrase "pluck up the courage," it means finding the bravery to do something hard, like finally asking for a promotion. As a noun, pluck can also mean courage and spirit. Think of a quick, sure hand reaching out and taking exactly what it wants.
The word "pluck" carries a versatile range of meanings, all centered around the act of quickly and deliberately removing or pulling something. At its most literal, to pluck means to pull something off or out with a sharp, quick motion, usually using the fingers. This applies to everything from the traditional task of plucking feathers from a bird to pulling petals off a daisy or shaping eyebrows with tweezers.
Beyond physical removal, "pluck" describes the act of selecting something specific from its surroundings. You might pluck a winning lottery ticket from a pile or pluck a talented employee from a rival firm. This sense of "picking out" highlights the intentionality behind the action.
In music, to pluck refers to pulling and releasing the strings of an instrument like a guitar, banjo, or harp to produce sound. The word also appears in the common phrase "pluck up the courage," which means to gather your bravery and act despite fear or doubt. As a noun, "pluck" can itself mean courage, spirit, or determined bravery, especially in the face of difficulty. Whether it involves feathers, musical notes, a careful choice, or inner strength, "pluck" suggests a quick, purposeful act or a brave, steady heart.
Examples
- 1
Harvesting
She plucked a ripe tomato from the vine.
- 2
Grooming
He plucked a gray hair from his beard.
- 3
Food preparation
The cook plucked the chicken before roasting it.
- 4
Music
Mia sat on the steps and plucked the strings of her guitar.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Light pulling
A child plucked at my sleeve and asked for help.
- Patternpluck at + thing
pull it lightly, often more than once
- 6
Rescue
The lifeguard plucked the boy from the water.
- Patternpluck someone from + place
take them out quickly, often to safety
- 7
Courage
I finally plucked up the courage to ask for a raise.
- Phrasepluck up the courage to do X
make yourself brave enough to do it
- 8
Guessing
She did not know the answer, so she plucked a number from thin air.
- Phrasepluck something from thin air
invent or guess it without real information
- 9
Sudden fame
The singer was plucked from obscurity after a video of her went viral.
- Phrasebe plucked from obscurity
suddenly become known after being unknown
- 10
Old-fashioned noun
It took real pluck to stand up to him in front of everyone.
- Usagepluck
courage; a little old-fashioned
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- plucknounverb
Forms
- pluckedpast tenseverbnoun
- plucking-ing formverbnoun
- plucksverbnoun