pluck

To take something away or pull it out with a quick movement.

• She plucked a flower.
• He plucked a hair from his sleeve.
• Do you pluck your eyebrows yourself?

How to use it: pluck something from something (She plucked a leaf from the branch.); pluck something out of something (He plucked a coin out of his pocket.)

Similar words: pull out, pick, snatch

Common phrases: pluck a flower, pluck something out, pluck something from

To pull a musical instrument's string with your finger and release it to make a sound.

• Pluck the lowest string.
• She plucked a gentle tune on her harp.
• The violinist plucks the strings instead of using a bow.

Similar words: pick

Common phrases: pluck a string, pluck the guitar, pluck harp strings

To remove the feathers from a bird, usually before cooking it.

• We need to pluck the chicken.
• He plucked the duck before cooking it.
• Have you ever plucked a goose?

Similar words: defeather

Common phrases: pluck a chicken, pluck a duck, pluck a turkey

The courage and determination to do something difficult, even when you feel afraid.

• I admire her pluck.
• He showed real pluck during the rescue.
• It took pluck to challenge the whole team.

Similar words: courage, determination, nerve, grit

Opposites: cowardice

Common phrases: show pluck, sheer pluck, admire someone's pluck

A quick sharp pull, especially on a string or something that can be pulled out.

• One pluck made the string vibrate.
• She gave his sleeve a quick pluck.
• Each gentle pluck of the harp string produced a clear note.

How to use it: a pluck of something (A pluck of the string produced a low note.)

Similar words: tug, pull

Common phrases: a quick pluck, a gentle pluck, pluck of something