Guts

Part of Speech

Noun (plural), Informal

Pronunciation

/ɡʌts/

Definitions

• 1. The internal organs of an animal or human, particularly the intestines.
• 2. Courage, bravery, or determination in the face of difficulty or danger.
• 3. The essential or central part of something.

Usage Examples

• "The hunter removed the guts of the fish before cooking it."
• "It takes a lot of guts to stand up for what you believe in."
• "The journalist got to the guts of the story quickly."

Etymology

Derived from Middle English "gutte," from Old English "gut," meaning "intestine." The figurative sense of courage developed in the 19th century.

Synonyms

• Intestines, entrails, bowels (for anatomical meaning)
• Courage, bravery, nerve (for figurative meaning)
• Core, essence, heart (for central meaning)

Antonyms

• Cowardice, fear, timidity (for figurative meaning)
• Surface, exterior (for central meaning)

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

In British English, the word is typically pronounced with a shorter 'u' sound, while in American English, it may have a slightly more open vowel.

Historical Usage

The anatomical meaning of "guts" has existed for centuries, while the metaphorical use for courage emerged in the 1800s and became common in the 20th century.

Cultural Nuances

In many cultures, "guts" is associated with inner strength and resilience. In Japanese, the term "guts pose" (ガッツポーズ) refers to a victorious clenched-fist gesture.

More Information

The word "guts" has been widely used in literature, military contexts, and motivational speeches. It is commonly used in idiomatic expressions such as "spill your guts" (to confess) and "no guts, no glory" (courage leads to success).