What does plucking mean?
“Plucking” names the deliberate act of pulling, picking, or removing something, usually with the fingers. The word is especially associated with playing stringed instruments: a guitarist or bassist plucks a string by catching it and releasing it so that it vibrates. It can also describe gathering fruit, pulling weeds, or removing feathers from a bird. Because the action is usually controlled and visible, “plucking” often carries a mildly descriptive or sensory quality, especially when paired with a sound such as the rhythmic plucking of a bass. In figurative use, it can suggest repeatedly extracting or selecting individual items, as in “plucking names from a list,” though that expression is less formal. The word is common in both British and American English.
nounThe act of pulling, removing, or picking something with a sharp or deliberate movement. It can also refer to playing a stringed instrument by drawing the fingers or a pick across its strings.
- The action of pulling, removing, or picking something, especially with the fingers.
- The action of playing a stringed instrument by pulling its strings with the fingers or a pick.
- The action of removing feathers from a bird, especially for food or preparation.
- The action of gathering or picking something, such as fruit.
"The rapid plucking of the guitar strings brought the song to life."
"She spent the afternoon plucking weeds from between the paving stones."
"The musician began with a quiet plucking of the double bass strings."
Usually uncountable. The rare plural refers to separate acts or instances of plucking.
"The musician's soft pluckings of the strings created an intimate atmosphere."
From silently picking a fruit to theatrically ripping a guitar string loose, “plucking” always suggests a deliberate pull.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does plucking come from?
“Plucking” developed from the verb “pluck,” whose roots are Germanic. The Old English form was pluccian, related to forms such as Dutch plukken and German pflücken, all referring to pulling or taking something. The modern participial form “plucking” developed alongside the verb and eventually also came to be used as a noun for the activity itself.
Related word forms
How plucking is actually used
As a noun, “plucking” is usually an activity or the sound or result of pulling with the fingers. It is especially common in musical and literal contexts; “plucking” a string generally means producing its sound rather than merely pulling it.
Easily confused with plucking
Plucking means pulling or removing something, especially with the fingers, whereas pluming means decorating something with feathers.