guts
4 synonyms and 0 antonyms for guts, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Courage and determination, especially to do something difficult or risky.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
How to use guts
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Frequently asked questions
What does “guts” mean?
The word “guts” means courage and determination, especially to do something difficult or risky. In plain terms, bravery and nerve — or, informally, the inner parts/mechanism of something.
How do you pronounce “guts”?
“Guts” is pronounced guhts (/ɡʌts/ in IPA).
How do you use “guts” in a sentence?
Here is “guts” used in a sentence: “It took real guts to stand up and disagree with the whole board.”
What part of speech is “guts”?
Depending on how it is used, “guts” can be a noun and a verb.
Is “guts” a common word?
“Guts” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “guts” have?
“Guts” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: courage and determination, especially to do something difficult or risky.
What is the difference between guts and courage?
Guts is an informal word for courage and determination, especially to do something difficult or risky, such as "it took guts to speak up." Courage is the more formal, neutral term, so guts is typically used in casual speech rather than formal writing.
Is guts used only to mean courage, or does it have other meanings?
Guts can also refer literally to the internal organs of the abdomen, or figuratively to the inner workings of something, such as "the guts of the machine." The courage sense is the most common figurative use, especially in informal speech.