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View synonyms for gumption

gumption

[ guhmp-shuhn ]

noun

, Informal.
  1. initiative; aggressiveness; resourcefulness:

    With his gumption he'll make a success of himself.

  2. courage; spunk; guts:

    It takes gumption to quit a high-paying job.

  3. Chiefly British Dialect. common sense; shrewdness.


gumption

/ ˈɡʌmpʃən /

noun

  1. common sense or resourcefulness
  2. initiative or courage

    you haven't the gumption to try

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Other Words From

  • gumption·less adjective
  • gumptious adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of gumption1

1710–20; originally Scots
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Word History and Origins

Origin of gumption1

C18: originally Scottish, of unknown origin
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Example Sentences

"I tried my best and gave it all the gumption I could muster," the letter reads, with the offer of a cash reward to anyone "who can complete the job".

From BBC

"I tried my best and gave it all the gumption I could muster," it reads.

From BBC

Lee however remained undeterred by her illness and summoned the gumption and self-confidence to return to the mat after a brief hiatus, brushing aside the narrowly construed frameworks of athleticism.

From Salon

“But it’s her gumption that’s inspirational to me,” Pusić continues, “just the courage of someone of that caliber to put themselves in such unfamiliar territory and go forward with such boldness and energy.”

What gave you the gumption to stop dying your hair?

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