ingenuity

noun

in·​ge·​nu·​i·​ty ˌin-jə-ˈnü-ə-tē 

-ˈnyü-

plural ingenuities

1

a

: skill or cleverness in devising or combining : inventiveness

b

: cleverness or aptness of design or contrivance

2

: an ingenious device or contrivance

3

obsolete : candor, ingenuousness

Synonyms of ingenuity

• creativity
• creativeness
• imagination
• talent
• innovativeness
• inventiveness
• imaginativeness

Examples of ingenuity in a Sentence

She showed amazing ingenuity in finding ways to cut costs.

It will take considerable ingenuity to fix these problems.

Recent Examples on the Web

And there is no laboratory of technical ingenuity so fast and so rich as war. — Simon Sebag Montefiore, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026

This cannot happen if lazy tropes around risk and governance continue to overshadow the ingenuity already present on the continent. — Jeremy Ebobisse, Time, 26 June 2026

Bonus points for the theme of ingenuity in the face of necessity, as Mike and Sully discover that children's laughter is more powerful than their fear. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2026

Amber Midthunder is spectacular as a young Comanche woman who uses her ingenuity and knowledge of the terrain to survive her plight. — Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 24 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1592, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Rhymes for ingenuity

• acuity
• annuity
• circuity
• congruity
• fatuity
• gratuity
• tenuity
• vacuity
• ambiguity
• contiguity
• continuity
• incongruity

Kids Definition

ingenuity

noun

in·​ge·​nu·​ity

ˌin-jə-ˈn(y)ü-ət-ē

plural ingenuities

1

: skill or cleverness in discovering, inventing, or planning

2

: an ingenious device