Meaning & use
mettle
Last updated
Courage, resolve, and strength of character, especially when facing a difficult challenge.
See it in a sentence
The rescue tested every firefighter's mettle.
She proved her mettle by finishing the marathon despite the injury.
A note on using this word
Almost always appears in the phrase 'test/prove one's mettle'; don't confuse with the similar-sounding 'metal.'
Words with a similar meaning
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “mettle”, then compare your use with the examples above.