gutsy
UK: ˈɡʌtsi | US: ˈɡʌtsi
adj. showing courage, determination, or spiritedness
adj. bold or forceful in character or style
The word "gutsy" derives from "guts," which originally referred to the internal organs of the body. Over time, "guts" evolved metaphorically to signify courage or bravery (as in "having guts"). The suffix "-y" is added to form an adjective, turning the noun into a descriptor for someone or something bold or spirited. This transformation reflects how physical attributes often metaphorically extend to describe character traits in English.
She made a gutsy decision to quit her stable job and start her own business.
The team's gutsy performance in the final minutes won them the game.
His gutsy speech inspired everyone in the audience.
It was a gutsy move to confront the manager about the unfair policy.
The film's gutsy protagonist defied all odds to achieve her goal.