gumption
Nerve and practicality
Gumption is spirited initiative and resourcefulness—the combination of courage and common sense that gets things done.
Someone with gumption doesn't wait for permission or instructions: She had the gumption to start her own business at nineteen.
The word carries admiration for practical boldness rather than reckless daring.
Boldness before danger
- boldnessFearless readiness to act
- nerveSignal-carrying body fiber
- pluckSpirit or yank
- spunkInformal word for courage
daring · audacity · moxie · backbone · guts · fearlessness · fortitude · mettle
Clever, original thinking
- clevernessMental quickness and skill
- inventivenessCapacity for original creation
- savvyPractical shrewdness
- creativityCapacity for original thought
adaptability · problem-solving · improvisation · quick-thinking · practicality · know-how · cunning · versatility
Perception or judgment
- wisdomGood judgment from experience
- acumenSharpness of mind
- discernmentKeen perception and judgment
- astutenessShrewd perceptiveness
shrewdness · sagacity · perception · insight · prudence · smarts · perspicacity · canniness
Operate a vehicle
- ambitionDesire for achievement
- motivationImpetus toward a goal
- enterpriseCommercial undertaking or initiative
- get-up-and-goEnergetic initiative and enthusiasm
self-starter · proactivity · hustle · energy · vigor · determination · go-getter · dynamism
bravery
Boldness before danger
spunk · daring · audacity · moxie · backbone · guts · fearlessness · fortitude · mettle · spirit
ingenuity
Clever, original thinking
- clevernessMental quickness and skill
- inventivenessCapacity for original creation
- savvyPractical shrewdness
creativity · adaptability · problem-solving · improvisation · quick-thinking · practicality · know-how · cunning · versatility · shrewdness
sense
Perception or judgment
- wisdomGood judgment from experience
- acumenSharpness of mind
- discernmentKeen perception and judgment
astuteness · shrewdness · sagacity · perception · insight · prudence · smarts · perspicacity · canniness · keenness
drive
Operate a vehicle
- ambitionDesire for achievement
- motivationImpetus toward a goal
- enterpriseCommercial undertaking or initiative
get-up-and-go · self-starter · proactivity · hustle · energy · vigor · determination · go-getter · dynamism · push
- American slangbamboozle, bogus, bunkum, conniption, discombobulate
- judgmentgood judgment, sound judgment, discernment, prudence, judiciousness
- moxiespunk, guts, nerve, grit, pluck
- Southern dialecty'all, fixin to, bless your heart, reckon, howdy
- assertivenessassertiveness, boldness, directness, speaking up, firmness
- audacityboldness, brazenness, audacity, chutzpah, gall
gumptionfoolishness
Unwise conduct
stupidity · idiocy · senselessness · brainlessness · witlessness
gumptiontimidity
Fearful lack of courage
cowardice · spinelessness · pusillanimity · passivity · gutlessness
gumptionapathy
Absence of feeling
listlessness · defeatism · resignation · helplessness · lethargy