gumption

C2+ Topic:Describing Qualities

US /ˈɡʌmpʃən/ UK /ˈɡʌmpʃən/ See IPA manual

noun

Meanings

1

noun
shrewd, resourceful initiative and boldness; common sense

It took gumption to walk in and ask the owner for a job.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · shrewd, resourceful... initiativeresourcefulnessenterprise drive nerve spunk mettle savvy

Opposites

apathy timidity cowardice

Etymology

Originally Scots, of uncertain origin; first recorded in the early 18th century meaning 'common sense, shrewdness', later 'enterprise, boldness'. Connection to gaum ('to understand') has been suggested but is unconfirmed.

Topics

Describing Qualities Word Formation & Derivatives

# gumption

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2+
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** ˈɡʌmpʃən
**IPA (UK):** ˈɡʌmpʃən

## Meanings
1. shrewd, resourceful initiative and boldness; common sense

## Examples
- It took gumption to walk in and ask the owner for a job.

## Synonyms
- initiative
- resourcefulness
- enterprise
- drive
- nerve
- spunk
- mettle
- savvy

## Antonyms
- apathy
- timidity
- cowardice

## Etymology
Originally Scots, of uncertain origin; first recorded in the early 18th century meaning 'common sense, shrewdness', later 'enterprise, boldness'. Connection to gaum ('to understand') has been suggested but is unconfirmed.

## AI Etymology
Gumption has this etymological history: Originally Scots, of uncertain origin; first recorded in the early 18th century meaning 'common sense, shrewdness', later 'enterprise, boldness'. Connection to gaum ('to understand') has been suggested but is unconfirmed. As a noun, gumption names shrewd, resourceful initiative and boldness; common sense. The wording should be read with that uncertainty intact: the proposed connection is plausible rather than absolute.

## Topics
- Describing Qualities
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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gumption

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