gumption
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.
Origin of gumption
1Other words from gumption
- gump·tion·less, adjective
- gumptious, adjective
Words Nearby gumption
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use gumption in a sentence
This sporty rabble-rouser—with plucky styling, screaming exhaust note and a fierce 302-horsepower turbo engine—is more in tune with, say, the grit and gumption of Megan Rapinoe.
The lawsuit showed gumption, and the judgment, issued in 2012, endeared Mullins to the thousands of NYPD sergeants he represented.
Years Before a Police Union Leader Was Raided by the FBI, Local Investigators Didn’t Pursue Allegations Against Him | by Jake Pearson | December 14, 2021 | ProPublicaIt’s a moment when the tables turned, and a health professional was reminded of how difficult it is to get help, once everyday folks get the gumption to ask.
When the counselor needs help: ‘I didn’t get a chance to really digest 9/11’ | Petula Dvorak | September 9, 2021 | Washington PostMiss Manners recognizes that this takes gumption and that is the reason that hosts are expected to save their guests that anxiety by making introductions.
Miss Manners: Aggression from older men leaves young woman at a loss | Judith Martin, Nicholas Martin, Jacobina Martin | April 15, 2021 | Washington PostHe negotiated tooth prices with Molly in days-long back-and-forth communication, and she generally won, but only after showing gumption.
Yes, if you have courage, desire, and gumption to do it, why not?
Pierce Brosnan’s Life After Bond: From Action Hero to Losing His Daughter to Cancer | Tim Teeman | July 2, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTWill the underdogs prevail through hard work and gumption or will billionaires turn Wisconsin into their own playground?
Koch Brothers Invade Tiny Iron County, Wisconsin | Dean Obeidallah | March 25, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe expression and gumption she sells the number with her eyes is the real magic of Shirley Temple.
7 Impossibly Cute Shirley Temple Moments (VIDEOS) | Kevin Fallon | February 11, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTFashion would lose much of its electricity without the head-snapping magnetism of models moving with gumption down a runway.
Milan Wraps Up Spring 2013 Fashion Week With Armani and Cavalli Showdown | Robin Givhan | September 24, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTMitt Romney, who has reverted to the not-a-follicle-out-of-place hairstyle, never really got up the gumption to hit Newt.
Paul Begala: Newt's Shameless Chutzpah Saves Him in Fox Debate | Paul Begala | December 16, 2011 | THE DAILY BEASTI guess he just stayed there because he happened to light there and didn't have gumption enough to git out.
Cabin Fever | B. M. BowerThis town is God's own country, and there's opportunity for anybody with a pound of energy and an ounce o' gumption.
The Turmoil | Booth Tarkington"Other one has the gumption," said Sharon, casting a final rain of cigar ash upon the abused rug at his feet.
The Wrong Twin | Harry Leon WilsonWell, she's got more gumption than any one I've seen here so far—seems to take an interest in what she's doing.
Sister Carrie | Theodore DreiserI only wonder that Chicago, with her accredited 'git' and 'gumption,' has not accepted my plan before.
Wisconsin in Story and Song; | Various
British Dictionary definitions for gumption
/ (ˈɡʌmpʃən) /
British common sense or resourcefulness
initiative or courage: you haven't the gumption to try
Origin of gumption
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Browse