Word
plucky
US/ˈpɫəki/
UK/plˈʌki/
Definition
adj. brave and full of spirit, even when things are difficult or scary. You use it for someone who keeps trying and does not give up easily.
adj. showing courage and spirited determination in the face of difficulty or danger. Often used to praise persistent effort against stronger opposition.
Examples
“The plucky kid tries again after every fall.”
“The plucky startup keeps competing with much larger companies and wins loyal customers.”
“Despite repeated injuries and dwindling support, the plucky defender returned each season with undiminished resolve.”
Examples
simple
“The plucky kid tries again after every fall.”
contextual
“The plucky startup keeps competing with much larger companies and wins loyal customers.”
complex
“Despite repeated injuries and dwindling support, the plucky defender returned each season with undiminished resolve.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “plucky” in context.
Verb
01. plucky in defeat
“The team was plucky in defeat, fighting hard until the final whistle.”
adj + prep + noun
02. plucky under pressure
“The teenage rider was plucky under pressure and finished the race.”
adj + prep + noun
03. prove plucky
“The young goalkeeper proved plucky under intense pressure.”
verb + adj
04. remain plucky
“Despite losing twice, the fans remained plucky and kept singing.”
verb + adj
Adjective
05. pretty plucky
“That was pretty plucky of you to speak up in front of everyone.”
adv + adj
Noun
06. plucky effort
“The team made a plucky effort despite missing three key players.”
adj + noun
07. plucky hero
“The film celebrates a plucky hero who saves her village.”
adj + noun
08. plucky performance
“She gave a plucky performance after returning from injury.”
adj + noun
09. plucky underdog
“Everyone cheered for the plucky underdog in the final.”
adj + noun
10. a plucky underdog story
“The movie tells a plucky underdog story about a village football team.”
11. put up a plucky performance
“Injured and tired, they still put up a plucky performance.”
12. remain plucky to the end
“Even when losing, the fans remained plucky to the end.”
Real-World Examples
“The events evoked days decades ago when Israel was widely admired for its plucky survival against the odds and for taking on hijackers.” “That final revelation, of these plucky underdogs winning yet another challenge to the legal system against all discernible odds, marked the first time I pumped my fist watching a documentary.” “Think of them like plucky non-league clubs in the FA Cup third round.” “Once a plucky competitor to much larger Intel in chips for personal computers and servers, AMD is now struggling to expand into new growth markets and it has repeatedly fallen short of Wall Street's expectations.” Etymology
From pluck (“nerve, persistence”) + -y.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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