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adj C1 Advanced

gutsy

GUHT-see

Gutsy (adj) means showing courage and determination in a difficult or risky situation. Example: “It was a gutsy call to bench the star player before the final.”

adj
1
Showing courage and determination in a difficult or risky situation.
"It was a gutsy call to bench the star player before the final."
"The rookie gave a gutsy performance under pressure."

How to use gutsy

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishBold and brave, willing to take a risk.

Common pairings
a gutsy decision a gutsy performance

Word forms

gutsier comparative, gutsiest superlative

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

It was a _____ call to bench the star player before the final.

Etymology

From guts + the adjective suffix -y.

Related words

Frequently asked questions

What does “gutsy” mean?

The word “gutsy” means showing courage and determination in a difficult or risky situation. In plain terms, bold and brave, willing to take a risk.

How do you pronounce “gutsy”?

“Gutsy” is pronounced GUHT-see (/ˈɡʌt.si/ in IPA).

How do you use “gutsy” in a sentence?

Here is “gutsy” used in a sentence: “It was a gutsy call to bench the star player before the final.”

What part of speech is “gutsy”?

“Gutsy” is an adjective.

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