mettle

noun

met·​tle ˈme-tᵊl 

1

a

: vigor and strength of spirit or temperament (see temperament sense 1a)

… a girl of … mettle who lost a baby brother to leukemia …

—Bill Zehme

b

: staying quality : stamina

equipment that proved its mettle

proved his mettle in battle

2

: quality of temperament or disposition

… gentlemen of brave mettle …

—William Shakespeare

mettled

ˈme-tᵊld 

adjective

see also:

on one's mettle

Did you know?

Is mettle Connected to Metal?

Originally, mettle was simply a variant spelling of the word metal (which dates to at least the 13th century), and it was used in all of the same senses as its metallic relative. Over time, however, mettle came to be used mainly in figurative senses referring to the quality of someone's character. It eventually became a distinct English word in its own right, losing its literal sense altogether. Metal remained a term primarily used for those hard, shiny substances such as steel or iron, but it also acquired a figurative use. Today, both words can mean "vigor and strength of spirit or temperament," but only metal is used of metallic substances.

Choose the Right Synonym for mettle

courage, mettle, spirit, resolution, tenacity mean mental or moral strength to resist opposition, danger, or hardship.

courage implies firmness of mind and will in the face of danger or extreme difficulty.

the courage to support unpopular causes

mettle suggests an ingrained capacity for meeting strain or difficulty with fortitude and resilience.

a challenge that will test your mettle

spirit also suggests a quality of temperament enabling one to hold one's own or keep up one's morale when opposed or threatened.

her spirit was unbroken by failure

resolution stresses firm determination to achieve one's ends.

the resolution of pioneer women

tenacity adds to resolution implications of stubborn persistence and unwillingness to admit defeat.

held to their beliefs with great tenacity

Examples of mettle in a Sentence

The competition will test her mettle.

Recent Examples on the Web

These characteristics force drivers to push their vehicles to their limits, which is why the Nordschleife is the track automakers send their highest-performance models to prove their mettle—including, on dozens of occasions, Porsche. — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 19 Aug. 2026

And as offensive coordinator Press Taylor stressed, all the offensive tackles will be thrust into situations that will test their mettle and reliability. — Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

The mysteries begin to mount practically from minute one, when John’s father returns home in his army uniform and tests John’s mettle by shooting an apple off his head with a handgun. — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 17 Aug. 2026

Despite a reign criticized for over 100 days without a defense, Morgan proved her mettle. — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

alteration of metal

First Known Use

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing mettle

• on one's mettle
• prove one's mettle
• show one's mettle

Rhymes for mettle

• acetyl
• bimetal
• gunmetal
• nonmetal
• resettle
• teakettle
• unsettle
• betel
• cetyl
• kettle
• metal
• nettle

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Kids Definition

mettle

noun

met·​tle ˈmet-ᵊl 

1

: quality of temperament or disposition

2

: strength of spirit

3

: ability to keep going : staying power