ingenious

adjective

in·ge·nious | \ in-ˈjēn-yəs

Definition of ingenious

1 : having or showing an unusual aptitude for discovering, inventing, or contriving an ingenious detective

2 : marked by originality, resourcefulness, and cleverness in conception or execution an ingenious contraption

3 obsolete : showing or calling for intelligence, aptitude, or discernment

Other Words from ingenious Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about ingenious

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Choose the Right Synonym for ingenious

clever, adroit, cunning, ingenious mean having or showing practical wit or skill in contriving. clever stresses physical or mental quickness, deftness, or great aptitude. a person clever with horses adroit often implies a skillful use of expedients to achieve one's purpose in spite of difficulties. an adroit negotiator cunning implies great skill in constructing or creating. a filmmaker cunning in his use of special effects ingenious suggests the power of inventing or discovering a new way of accomplishing something. an ingenious software engineer

Examples of ingenious in a Sentence

How many dog-size bathrobes (an ingenious device) are out there? — David Colman, Vogue, April 2001 … spacecraft engineers tried to come up with ways to "unstick" the antenna. Those attempts failed, but by ingenious software and mission-sequencing techniques … the Galileo mission was still able to fulfill nearly all of its scientific requirements and return a rich quantity of scientific data … — Louis Friedman et al., Encyclopedia of the Solar System, 1999 … an ingenious method of checking errors … — W. David Gardner, Datamation, June 1982 The book has an ingenious plot. She was ingenious at finding ways to work more quickly. It was ingenious of him to arrange the schedule so precisely.

Recent Examples on the Web

Remember: ideas that don't seem sensical at first (like a blush evening gown doubling as your wedding dress) are sometimes the most ingenious. — Christian Oth, Harper's BAZAAR, "17 Non-Traditional Gowns For the Renegade Bride," 1 Nov. 2018 The film is visually ingenious and funny, yet grounded by pointed arguments about the obstacles to black success in America, the power of strikes and the soul-draining predations of capitalism. — Jonah Weiner, New York Times, "How Boots Riley Infiltrated Hollywood," 22 May 2018 In second was the first photo of baby Miles (sweet chubby-cheeked muffin) and third was their ingenious Halloween costume: Chrissy as the Queen, and Legend as Prince Philip. — Katherine J. Igoe, Marie Claire, "John Legend's Top Nine on Instagram Is Full of "Love and Lactation"," 28 Dec. 2018 Plus, citizens across China find ingenious ways to evade surveillance. — Maya Wang, WSJ, "China’s Bumbling Police State," 26 Dec. 2018 The pair haven't yet acted on the show together, but Kelly found an ingenious way of bringing Mark's television family together with his off-screen family. — Lauren Rearick, Teen Vogue, "Mark Consuelos and Kelly Ripa Used Hiram's Riverdale Family as Their Christmas Card," 12 Dec. 2018 Prey is one of 2017’s best games—and one of 2018’s as well, thanks to its ingenious Mooncrash update earlier this year. — Hayden Dingman, PCWorld, "This week in games: Call of Duty starts selling sans-Zombies, DayZ preps Early Access exit," 7 Dec. 2018 Tommy devised an ingenious solution that allows him to protect that section without slowing the team. — Kelly Cordes, Outside Online, "Even Tommy Caldwell Questioned the Nose Speed Record," 13 June 2018 The building was celebrated for its dramatic design and ingenious solution to a housing crisis. — Devorah Lev-tov, New York Times, "Dusting Off an Art Deco Feminist Treasure," 16 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ingenious.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.