gumption
Americannoun
-
initiative; aggressiveness; resourcefulness.
With his gumption he'll make a success of himself.
-
courage; spunk; guts.
It takes gumption to quit a high-paying job.
-
Chiefly British Dialect. common sense; shrewdness.
noun
-
common sense or resourcefulness
-
initiative or courage
you haven't the gumption to try
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of gumption
1710–20; originally Scots
Explanation
If you have gumption, you have guts. People with gumption are determined and full of courage — and common sense, too. If you easily give up, and don't have a lot of confidence or smarts, then you are lacking in gumption. It takes gumption to get things done — especially difficult things. Someone who takes risks without being afraid has gumption. Having gumption is like having "chutzpah." We all could probably use more gumption. Like common sense, it isn't that common.
Vocabulary lists containing gumption
Beowulf
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Their Eyes Were Watching God
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Glass Castle
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Gumption and resourcefulness are no substitute for working, durable structures.
From The Verge • Aug. 13, 2021
Gumption or no, skeptics perceive an Oedipal element behind the enterprise.
From Time Magazine Archive
It must not be supposed that Messrs Gumption, Gazebee & Gazebee were in the least like the ordinary run of attorneys.
From Doctor Thorne by Trollope, Anthony
The firm of Messrs Gumption & Gazebee stands probably quite among the first attorneys in London, and I know that papa has a very high opinion of them.
From Doctor Thorne by Trollope, Anthony
He told him that he didn't have as much Business Gumption as a Belgian Hare and a Chump who would walk into Debt with his Eyes open deserved to get it right in the Collar.
From People You Know by Ade, George
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
