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

Ridley Scott One of the best late-career films from an all-time master, this sci-fi gem sees Matt Damon playing an astronaut who gets stranded on Mars and has to use his ingenuity to get home. — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 17 July 2026

All of which is to say that the Odyssey, in depriving Nolan of opportunities for his ingenuity as a screenwriter, has also pushed him toward greater filmmaking risks. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 17 July 2026

And in a world where AI is commoditizing some deliverables, there are still plenty that require human ingenuity and complex thinking. — Michelle Douglas, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

But Finch had long admired Ball’s skill set and ingenuity, and Clifford called unsolicited to vouch for a player who has been criticized throughout his career as unserious, all style over substance. — Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 15 July 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