noun
ingenuity
in-juh-NOO-uh-tee/ˌɪndʒəˈnuːəti/
Skill in finding clever solutions or creating new things.
Using a bottle for controlled watering shows practical ingenuity.
Etymology
Built on ingenuus, ingenuity originally concerned freeborn status and nobility, not inventiveness. Confusion between ingenuous and ingenious redirected it toward the modern meaning of cleverness in invention or construction.
In context
This termite ventilation inspired Pearce to use an approach known as biomimicry, imitating the ingenuity found in nature to solve human problems.
More examples
- The design shows real ingenuity in its use of limited space.
- With a little ingenuity, we can turn these scraps into toys.
- I admire the ingenuity of whoever invented this folding table.
Forms
ingenuity
ingenious adjective — Showing clever skill in solving problems.
Similar words
- inventiveness
- Emphasizes producing new ideas rather than solving practical problems.
- resourcefulness
- Emphasizes making effective use of whatever is available.
- creativity
- Includes artistic imagination, not just clever solutions or inventions.