From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishgumptiongump‧tion /ˈɡʌmpʃən/ noun [uncountable] INDEPENDENT PERSONthe ability and determination to decide what needs to be done and to do it At least she had the gumption to phone me.
Examples from the Corpus
gumption• He was amazed to experience his old verve this morning, enough to give him something more than just gumption.• I thought my Walter had a bit more gumption.• But he's got a lot of gumption for trying to do it.• The signs had all been there if only she'd had the gumption to read them.• But Hugh had seemed to have the gumption to make himself new.• Wilson speeches often praise the gumption of illegal immigrants who take risks and endure hardships to better themselves and their families.• It just takes the gumption and guts to do it.had ... gumption• The signs had all been there if only she'd had the gumption to read them.Origin gumption (1700-1800) Perhaps from gome “attention” ((13-19 centuries)), from Old Norse gaumr 