noun
gumption
GUHMP-shuhn
Gumption (noun) means Practical common sense and the drive to get things done without being told. Example: “It takes real gumption to start a business with no savings.”
noun
1
Practical common sense and the drive to get things done without being told.
"It takes real gumption to start a business with no savings."
"She showed a lot of gumption fixing the leak herself instead of waiting for a plumber."
How to use gumption
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDown-to-earth initiative and resourcefulness — the get-up-and-go to handle things yourself.
Memory tip
It is almost always used as a compliment, describing someone practical and gutsy rather than clever in an academic sense.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
have the gumption to
show some gumption
lacks gumption
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Word forms
- Plural
- gumptions
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
It takes real _____ to start a business with no savings.
Etymology
Borrowed from Scots gumption ("common sense, shrewdness, drive"); its deeper roots are unclear, though it may be connected to an old word meaning "attention" or "heed".
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for gumption
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for gumption →
Frequently asked questions
What does “gumption” mean?
The word “gumption” means practical common sense and the drive to get things done without being told. In plain terms, down-to-earth initiative and resourcefulness — the get-up-and-go to handle things yourself.
How do you pronounce “gumption”?
“Gumption” is pronounced GUHMP-shuhn (/ˈɡʌmpʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “gumption” in a sentence?
Here is “gumption” used in a sentence: “It takes real gumption to start a business with no savings.”
What part of speech is “gumption”?
“Gumption” is a noun.
