gumption

gumption
[[t]gʌ̱mpʃ(ə)n[/t]]
1) N-UNCOUNT If someone has gumption, they are able to think what it would be sensible to do in a particular situation, and they do it. [INFORMAL]

We now find that common sense, or what used to be called gumption, is a thing of the past.

2) N-UNCOUNT: oft the N to-inf If someone has the gumption to do something, they are brave enough to do it.

He suspected that deep down, she admired him for having the gumption to disagree with her.


English dictionary. 2008.

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  • Gumption — Gump tion, n. [OE. gom, gome, attention; akin to AS. ge[ o]mian, gyman, to regard, observe, gyme care, OS. gomean to heed, Goth. gaumjan to see, notice.] [1913 Webster] 1. Capacity; shrewdness; common sense. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster] One does not… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • gumption — 1719, originally Scottish, common sense, shrewdness, also drive, initiative, possibly connected with M.E. gome attention, heed, from O.N. gaumr heed, attention. Sense of initiative is first recorded 1812 …   Etymology dictionary

  • gumption — *sense, common sense, good sense, judgment, wisdom Analogous words: sagaciousness or sagacity, shrewdness, perspicaciousness or perspicacity, astuteness (see corresponding adjectives at SHREWD) …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • gumption — [n] nerve, initiative ability, acumen, astuteness, cleverness, commonsense, discernment, enterprise, get up and go*, good sense, horse sense*, industry, judgment, perspicaciousness, perspicacity, resourcefulness, sagaciousness, sagacity, savvy,… …   New thesaurus

  • gumption — ► NOUN informal ▪ shrewd initiative and resourcefulness. ORIGIN of unknown origin …   English terms dictionary

  • gumption — [gump′shən] n. [< Scot dial. < ? ME gome, attention (< ON gaumr), with playful Latinate suffix] Informal 1. Obs. shrewdness in practical matters; common sense 2. courage and initiative; enterprise and boldness …   English World dictionary

  • gumption — n. (colloq.) courage the gumption to + inf. (will she have enough gumption to refuse?) * * * [ gʌmpʃ(ə)n] (colloq.) [ courage ] the gumption to + inf. (will she have enough gumption to refuse?) …   Combinatory dictionary

  • gumption — gumptionless, adj. gumptious, adj. /gump sheuhn/, n. Informal. 1. initiative; aggressiveness; resourcefulness: With his gumption he ll make a success of himself. 2. courage; spunk; guts: It takes gumption to quit a high paying job. 3. common… …   Universalium

  • gumption — noun Etymology: origin unknown Date: 1719 1. chiefly dialect common sense, horse sense 2. enterprise, initiative < lacked the gumption to try > …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • gumption — gump|tion [ˈgʌmpʃən] n [U] [Date: 1700 1800; Origin: Perhaps from gome attention (13 19 centuries), from Old Norse gaumr] the ability and determination to decide what needs to be done and to do it ▪ At least she had the gumption to phone me …   Dictionary of contemporary English

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