gutsy

1 of 2

adjective

ˈgət-sē 

gutsier; gutsiest

1

: marked by courage, pluck, or determination

a gutsy little fighter

a gutsy decision

2

a

: expressing or characterized by basic physical senses or passions

gutsy macho talk

gutsy country blues

b

: rough or plain in style : not bland or sophisticated

a gutsy soup

a rich gutsy wine

gutsily

ˈgət-sə-lē 

adverb

gutsiness noun

gutsiness

2 of 2

noun

gut·​si·​ness

ˈgətsēnə̇s, 

-sin-

plural -es

: the quality or state of being gutsy

Synonyms of gutsy

Adjective

• adventurous
• courageous
• daring
• brave
• fearless
• bold

Examples of gutsy in a Sentence

Adjective

That was a very gutsy decision.

a gutsy coach willing to let her team improvise on the court

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The gutsy play was one of four fourth-down conversions Boise State made Saturday, also moving the sticks on fourth-and-3, -2, and -1 throughout the game. — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 11 Oct. 2026

Cigarette officially launched the Top Gun line in ’86, unveiling a 38-footer with its signature razor-sharp hull and a pair of gutsy V-8s that could push the yacht to over 50 knots (roughly 58 mph), depending on the specific engines. — Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026

Part of that proof came from a gutsy call that the Hurricane Center forecasters made last year during Hurricane Melissa. — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026

The Oakland singer-songwriter entered the R&B fray in 2015 as a raw, gutsy artist who bravely wore her heart on her sleeve. — Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 5 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

gutsy + -ness

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1893, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for gutsy

• agree
• allee
• banshee
• beastly
• bibi
• bowsprit
• carefree
• cerci
• chablis
• cowpea
• crappie
• crappy

Kids Definition

gutsy

adjective

ˈgət-sē 

gutsier; gutsiest

: aggressively tough : courageous

a gutsy decision

a gutsy hockey player

gutsiness noun