Gumption means having both courage and common sense, the combination of boldness and practical thinking that helps you tackle challenges effectively. Someone with gumption dreams about doing something difficult and then rolls up their sleeves and figures out how to make it happen.

When a student has the gumption to start their own tutoring business, they're combining courage (approaching potential clients, handling rejection) with practical thinking (setting fair prices, scheduling sessions, keeping track of payments). That's gumption: the blend of “I can do this” confidence with “here's how I'll actually do it” smart planning.

You might hear someone say “she's got gumption” about a person who takes initiative without waiting for permission or perfect conditions. A kid who notices the neighborhood park is messy and organizes a cleanup crew has gumption. So does the student who, after failing a math test, asks the teacher for extra help and creates a study schedule.

The word suggests a kind of spirited determination, a refusal to be stopped by obstacles or fear. It's the combination of brave risk-taking and careful planning working together. When you show gumption, you're demonstrating that you have both the nerve to try something challenging and the good judgment to do it wisely.