Dictionary

moxie en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• /ˈmɒksi/
• mŏk'sē
• (Southern-England) audio

Etymology

First recorded use in 1930. From the name of an American soft drink Moxie made since 1885 to which advertisement ascribed many beneficial properties directly but also indirectly by using the same name as a patent medicine first manufactured in 1878. The word appears in very many place names in Maine, especially of falls and ponds, as well as the local name of a plant, the moxie-plum, and is perhaps ultimately from an Abenaki word meaning 'dark water' or an Algonquian root maski- meaning 'herbal infusion'.

Meanings

1. (US, informal, uncountable) Nerve, spunk, strength of character.
   • Aline Brosh McKenna, one of the creators of The CW TV series Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, told a reporter in 2020: “I often say, ‘Lord, give me the moxie of a post-menopausal women^([sic]) who gives absolutely no fucks.’” 2023 November 11, Emma Jacobs, quoting Aline Brosh McKenna, “When will I start caring less about everything?”, in FT Weekend (Life & Arts section), London: The Financial Times Ltd., →ISSN, →OCLC, page 4:
   • “Most definitely not!” replied Ms. Summers, who quickly added that she admired the woman’s moxie and, anyway, the day was hot. 2021 July 22, Guy Trebay, “Suddenly It’s Bare Season”, in The New York Times, →ISSN:
2. (US, informal, uncountable) Verve.
   • Yes it's true! / That you seem a little young to do the things that you do, / even with all that moxie you've got. 2011 January 29, “Rollercoaster: The Musical!” (“Aren't You a Little Young?” (song)), in Phineas and Ferb, season 2, episode 38, spoken by Building Engineer (Dan Povenmire):
   • As a girl she had speed and a knock-kneed moxie at athletics, and might have done more with it if she hadn't harvested all the glory already. 1971, John Updike, Rabbit Redux, page 401:
3. (US, informal, uncountable) Wit, smarts, skill.

Forms

Deriveds

moxie plum

Synonyms

energy · pep · know-how · backbone · determination · fortitude · initiative · spirit · vigor

Translations (23)

de Tatkraft (vigor, energy) · bg кураж (spirit, courage, force of character) · pl odwaga (spirit, courage, force of character) · fi puhti (vigor, energy) · ja 根性 (spirit, courage, force of character) · pl wiedza (wit, skill, know-how) · pl energia (vigor, energy) · fi taitavuus (wit, skill, know-how) · ja 度胸 (spirit, courage, force of character) · es espíritu (spirit, courage, force of character) · de Fähigkeit (wit, skill, know-how) · de Energie (vigor, energy) · bg енергичност (vigor, energy) · fi luonteenlujuus (spirit, courage, force of character) · fr tripes (spirit, courage, force of character) · es astucia (wit, skill, know-how) · bg умение (wit, skill, know-how) · fi taito (wit, skill, know-how) · de Mumm (spirit, courage, force of character) · pl wigor (vigor, energy) · fi pontevuus (vigor, energy) · fi selkäranka (spirit, courage, force of character) · pl determinacja (spirit, courage, force of character)